Manchester United target Hugo Ekitike has revealed that he is a boyhood fan of the club, sparking speculation that he is angling for an Old Trafford move in the summer.
The Eintracht Frankfurt striker has been in fine form in Germany this season, with 19 goals and eight assists in 38 matches.
His performances, and his recent hat-trick for France U21s against England, have landed him on the radar of numerous clubs looking for forward reinforcements this summer, including United and Premier League rivals Liverpool and Arsenal.
But as reported by The Daily Mail, the 22-year-old may have indicated his preference to join Ruben Amorim’s side in a recent YouTube video posted by his current club.
In that video he was asked which club was his “favourite” as a youngster, and he quickly answered “Manchester United.”
It’s heartening news for the Red Devils, who are in dire need of a new striker given the struggles of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee this season.
Ekitike has outscored both of them combined, and there is little doubt that the former PSG man would improve United’s potency in front of goal.
However he is a key asset for the Bundesliga side, who have him tied down to a £50,000 a week contract for another four years.
The Peoples Person reported yesterday that United will find it hard to pay their asking price, which is rumoured to be £67m.
As such, the player’s preference for the destination of a summer switch becomes almost irrelevant.
Amorim may therefore have to look elsewhere for a new striker, although there is no doubt that he will be given one during the summer.
Recent reports indicate that Napoli’s Victor Osimhen would be ready to join the Red Devils even if they don’t qualify for the Champions League, and that the club have spoken to Ipswich Town frontman Liam Delap’s camp.
Featured image Alex Grimm via Getty Images
Joe Ponting
Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.
