Fabrizio Romano confirms INEOS keen to sign self-proclaimed Man Utd supporter, but face two hurdles | OneFootball

Manchester United have decided to launch an onslaught for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, but it won’t be an easy mission.

The Red Devils are desperate to find a new competent centre-forward who can guarantee goals, but have been bouncing back and forth from one target to another without any luck.

In recent weeks, United failed to sway Liam Delap who opted to join Chelsea, while their attempts to convince Viktor Gyokeres have been similarly unsuccessful, with the Swede apparently favouring a move to Arsenal.

Last week, Sky Sport DE journalist Florian Plettenberg revealed that INEOS have decided to turn their attention towards Ekitike.

Romano: Man Utd set their sights on Hugo Ekitike

The 22-year-old is a French striker who rose through the ranks of Paris Saint-Germain but left Le Parc des Princes in search of additional playing time.

The Reims native has been honing his skills in Frankfurt since February 2024, and his currently tied to the Bundesliga club with a contract lasting until June 2029.

This season, Ekitike contributed with 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions, earning himself several Premier League suitors in the process.

In his latest exclusive for CaughtOffside, Fabrizio Romano confirmed Man Utd’s interest in the Frenchman.

The Italian journalist reveals that the Red Devils have yet to open a direct dialogue with Eintracht, but insists that Ekitike is a profile appreciated by the club’s chief scout, Christopher Vivell, who has a keen eye for Bundesliga talents.

(Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Two issues that could prevent United from signing Ekitike

Nevertheless, Romano reveals two hurdles that could hamper United’s attempts to sign the up-and-comer.

The first is the hefty asking price which could reach €100 million, while the second is the stern competition, particularly from Chelsea and Liverpool.

Despite landing Delap, the Blues could still be after a new centre-forward, while the Premier League champions might need a new No.9, especially if they were to part ways with Darwin Nunez.

However, it should be remembered that Ekitike identified Man Utd as his favourite club, so it remains to be seen if his desire to play for his beloved club could play a factor in the equation.