As Manchester United continue to plot their summer transfer plans with Ruben Amorim in the hot seat, French under-21 starlet Hugo Ekitike has emerged as a viable candidate to bolster the attacking options at Old Trafford.
The Eintracht Frankfurt striker is enjoying a statement campaign, supplying 19 goals and eight assists in 38 appearances across all competitions.
Although still relatively young at 22, the Reims native has earned extensive experience across Ligue 1, the Danish Superliga and the Bundesliga, alongside a notable underage development with Les Bleuets.
His domestic confidence was emphatically maintained during the international break, netting an impressive hat-trick against Lee Carsley’s U21 England side in a 5-3 victory.
The youngster’s performances have caught the attention of several European powerhouses, and as confirmed on the official Theatre of Red Podcast, the 20-time English champions are formally interested in the frontman.
Hugo Ekitike | Size, speed, confidence and a Manchester United supporter
A 6-foot-3 clinical finisher with pace, trickery and a natural predatory instinct is not the most common sight in the game. Truthfully, the Frenchman’s frame would not look out of place in the NBA.
But, despite first impressions, Hugo possesses all of the necessary attributes to excel at an elite level, with the highly sought-after ability to lead the line as a sole striker.
Take what you will from a routine encounter with the Frankfurt social team, but Ekitike was quick to nail his colours to the mast. When asked about his ‘favourite’ club as a child, the former PSG forward quickly replied ‘Manchester United’.
“Interestingly, I have this morning received clarification from an individual close to Carrington that I trust very much, and they advise of an increased interest in Eintracht Frankfurt frontman Hugo Ekitike,” Shaun Connolly told Dougie Critchley on the Theatre of Red Podcast.
“As I confirmed this morning, around Manchester United continues to be this unified focus on the recruitment of young players.
“I’m also advised that the club are not presently looking at offloading [Rasmus] Hojlund because of a number of factors, from his age, his potential, the ability he has when he is not completely down on confidence – as you’ve said – and the fact that it would be difficult to recoup the fee paid for him.”
Within hours of the podcast, Florian Plettenberg confirmed the Bundesliga outfit is aware that Manchester United is seriously considering the prized forward as a potential target this summer and has slapped an €80 million fee on his young shoulders.
But why are Amorim and the Ineos department keen on adding another relatively inexperienced forward to their squad, you say?
As you’ll see from the table below, his output is amongst the very finest in the European game, and there is a credible belief in his ability to grow to an even higher level under the tutelage of the former Sporting Supremo.
| Hugo Ekitike vs ‘Top five leagues’ (Last 365 days) | Per 90 minutes | Percentile |
| Interceptions | 0.45 | 97 |
| Successful take-ons | 1.94 | 96 |
| Touches in the attacking penalty area | 6.74 | 95 |
| Shot-creating actions | 3.64 | 94 |
| Shots (Total) | 3.85 | 94 |
| Key passes | 1.67 | 94 |
| Passes into the penalty area | 1.19 | 91 |
| Progressive carries | 2.80 | 91 |
| Crosses into the penalty area | 0.18 | 90 |
| Carries | 23.07 | 89 |
Perspective is always required in football, particularly when navigating the ever-changing world of transfers.
Hojlund is a United player, and despite ample speculation, Old Trafford officials remain committed to their multi-million-pound investment. However, the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules will inevitably dictate the necessity for outgoings to bolster the squad.
Ekitike is one of several players considered in the North West, and if the €80m fee reported remains accurate, it would be unlikely that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his best-in-class team could facilitate the funds to accommodate the many requirements within the squad.
But, without question, he is a striker of undeniable interest to the one-time English juggernauts, and there is a shared belief in his current ability and potential to rise to the level of a similarly-styled player in Alexander Isak.
How would you feel about Manchester United pursuing Hugo Ekitike this summer? Let us know in the comments or across our social channels.
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