Manchester United’s talks with boyhood fan Hugo Ekitike have become ‘more concrete’ over the past 48 hours, according to French media.
The 22-year-old is missing the U21 European Championship due to a back issue, and Ekitike’s absence from the tournament is allowing him to fully focus on securing a transfer.
For months, the expectation has been that the Frenchman will be on the move this summer. Indeed, even his club Eintracht Frankfurt accept that the striker will leave – but only on their terms.
After selling Randal Kolo Muani and Omar Marmoush for big money, sporting director Markus Krosche has slapped a prohibitive €100 million price tag on Ekitike to signal that Frankfurt are under no pressure to cash in on him following Champions League qualification.
Krosche, a notoriously tough and smart negotiator, has made it clear to Ekitike’s many suitors that he won’t budge from his position.
Man Utd stepping up Ekitike talks
Chelsea failed with an attempt to sign Ekitike during the special 10-day Club World Cup transfer window, but the Blues remain keen on the 22-goal star. Liverpool, too, are firmly in the mix for the Frankfurt hitman.
However, over the past 48 hours, it has been Man Utd who have done the most work on Ekitike, according to Foot Mercato. Talks are said to have become ‘more concrete’ and are generally considered positive, which shouldn’t be a surprise.
Ekitike is a boyhood Red Devils fan and confessed in December: “I remember that my favourite club since childhood has been Man Utd. I have always loved Manchester.” It remains to be seen if their lack of European football is a dealbreaker.
Man Utd have been following Ekitike’s development since he broke through at Stade Reims, and they now appear to be pushing for him after being told by Viktor Gyokeres that he won’t join them this summer.
As things stand, Man Utd are thought to be unable to pay €100m for Ekitike, but talks are ‘intensifying’ in a clear sign that the Frenchman is an option that is being seriously considered by the Old Trafford club.
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