Manchester United have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Hugo Ekitike, as sources close to the French striker believe Eintracht Frankfurt may lower their steep £85 million asking price, according to reports.
The 22-year-old has become a top target for United boss Rúben Amorim, especially after the club failed to sign Liam Delap and faced drawn-out talks over Viktor Gyokeres.
Ekitike has had an impressive season in Germany, scoring 22 goals and registering 12 assists across 48 matches. However, it’s not just his stats that stand out—his overall performances have also caught the eye.
Standing at nearly 6’3”, Ekitike is considered a complete modern striker. He can drop deep to link play thanks to his excellent technical skill and also use his surprising pace to get in behind defenders. With sharp spatial awareness and high football intelligence, his game is mature well beyond his years, and at just 22, he still has room to develop.
He’s been compared to Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, another tall, skillful forward who’s flourished in the Premier League since his £63 million move from Real Sociedad in 2023.
Ekitike has drawn interest from Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Newcastle, but Manchester United have recently stepped up their pursuit, having already spoken to the player’s camp and are reportedly the only club to open discussions with Frankfurt directly.
The Bundesliga club have so far held firm on their €100m (£85m) valuation, especially after losing Omar Marmoush to Manchester City in January. This fee currently puts Ekitike out of reach for United, who have limited transfer funds.
United have already committed £62.5 million to sign Matheus Cunha and are negotiating a similar deal for Bryan Mbeumo. Adding another £85 million striker would exceed their financial limits without significant player sales.
Still, TBR Football reports that Ekitike’s representatives are signaling to clubs that Frankfurt’s price tag is negotiable and that the player favors a move to England—particularly to Manchester United, a club he supported growing up. However, such a move would only be viable if Frankfurt reduce their asking price.
