Manchester United reportedly have an advantage when it comes to the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.
The 22-year-old has been in excellent form for Frankfurt during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 19 goals and registering eight assists in 38 appearances in all competitions, including 13 goals and four assists in 25 Bundesliga matches.
Ekitike also scored a hat trick for France Under-21s against England Under-21s during the recent international break, and Man United are believed to have had scouts at that match to watch the centre-forward in action.
Arsenal and Chelsea have also been credited with an interest, but Man United are believed to hold a trump card.
According to The Mirror, Ekitike is a boyhood supporter of the Red Devils, and it is understood that he wants to make the move to the 20-time English champions even if Champions League football is not on offer next term.
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Ekitike is expected to leave Frankfurt this summer
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano recently claimed that Ekitike is set to be on the move during this summer's transfer window, with Frankfurt believed to be looking for at least £60m for the Frenchman.
The attacker scored 11 times in 26 appearances for Reims during the 2021-22 campaign before arriving at Paris Saint-Germain, but a disappointing spell in the capital saw him manage only four goals and four assists in 33 games.
Ekitike spent the second half of last season on loan at Frankfurt, scoring four times in 16 appearances, before making the move to the Bundesliga team on a permanent basis last summer.
The striker has taken his game to a new level this season, which has quickly made him one of the most in-demand forwards in European football, with a number of clubs potentially battling for his services ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
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Ekitike compared to Neymar, Mbappe by Sneijder
Former Netherlands international Wesley Sneijder has claimed that Ekitike reminds him of a mixture of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, with incredible praise being sent the forward's way by one of the best midfielders in recent history.
"I'll tell you, I've seen a lot of this boy. Now, I may say something really crazy, but I'll say it anyway: I think he is a mix between Neymar and [Kylian] Mbappe. I sincerely mean that," Sneijder told Ziggo Sport.
"He has that grace from Neymar but also the movements of Mbappe. Suddenly accelerating – that's something Mbappe also has and he is only 22 years old. There is really a lot of potential in this boy."
Man United will bring in a new striker during this summer's transfer window, and the club have also been credited with an interest in Porto's Samu Aghehowa.
Matt Law
