Man Utd enter the race to sign one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers as Arsenal Viktor Gyokeres bid emerges
Manchester United are ‘exploring the conditions’ of a potential deal for one of Europe’s most promising young forwards, according to reports.
Man United Join Race for Hugo Ekitike Amid Summer Striker Search
As Manchester United continue their rebuild under Rúben Amorim, the club is actively exploring striker options after a poor Premier League campaign that saw them score just 44 goals in 38 matches.
While Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres—who thrived under Amorim—remains a top target, a new contender has emerged: Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.
According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, United have officially entered the race, contacting Frankfurt within the past 48 hours to express concrete interest and gather details on a potential deal. Plettenberg confirmed the news via X (formerly Twitter), adding that Liverpool and Chelsea remain in contention as well.
Ekitike, who registered 22 goals and 13 assists last season, played a key role in helping Frankfurt qualify for the Champions League and is now considered one of Europe’s most in-demand strikers. The Bundesliga club is reportedly seeking around £85 million for the 21-year-old, who still has four years left on his contract.
With United’s striker shortlist expanding and competition intensifying, the summer window is heating up.
Arsenal’s Bid for Gyökeres Rejected as United Enter Ekitike Race
Shortly after news broke that Manchester United had officially entered the race for Hugo Ekitike, reports emerged that Arsenal had submitted their first concrete bid for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres.
According to Portuguese outlet Record, the Gunners made an offer during a meeting in Spain on Wednesday involving their sporting director Andrea Berta, a club lawyer, and Sporting’s general director of football, Bernardo Palmeiro.
However, rival outlet A Bola reports that the bid was rejected as it fell slightly below the €60 million + €10 million package (around €70m) mentioned by Sporting president Frederico Varandas. Varandas has remained firm in his valuation of the Swedish forward and is unwilling to accept less.
Despite the rejection, sources describe the meeting as just the first round of negotiations, with Arsenal reportedly eager to wrap up the deal quickly.
This development adds further intrigue to the striker market, with Manchester United now exploring Ekitike as an alternative — potentially due to Gyökeres’ high price tag and Arsenal’s accelerating interest.
🔴 **Manchester United Enter the Race for Hugo Ekitike Amid Striker Search**
Manchester United are **actively exploring the conditions** of a deal for **Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike**, as the club intensifies its hunt for a top striker this summer. According to **Florian Plettenberg (Sky Germany)**, United have made **direct contact with Frankfurt in the last 48 hours**, expressing **concrete interest** in the 21-year-old French forward.
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### ⚡️ **Why Ekitike?**
After a dismal league season with just **44 goals in 38 games**, United are desperate for attacking reinforcements. While **Viktor Gyökeres** (Sporting CP) remains a top target—particularly due to his connection with incoming manager **Rúben Amorim**—**Gyökeres’ €100 million release clause** has complicated the deal.
Ekitike, who **scored 22 goals and provided 13 assists** last season across all competitions, offers:
* ⚡ Explosiveness
* 🎯 Clinical finishing
* 💫 Creativity in buildup play
* 📈 Huge upside potential at only 21
He helped **Eintracht Frankfurt qualify for the Champions League**, and his performances have turned heads across Europe.
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### 💰 **The Financial Picture**
* **Frankfurt’s valuation**: \~**£85 million**
* **Contract**: Until **2029** (four years remaining)
* **Interested clubs**:
* ✅ Manchester United
* ✅ Chelsea
* ✅ Liverpool
United may see **Ekitike as a more financially manageable option** than Gyökeres or other elite strikers.
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### ⚔️ **Market Battle Heating Up**
* **Arsenal’s €70m bid for Gyökeres was rejected**, increasing the chances that United will pivot toward Ekitike or Joshua Zirkzee (another strong United target).
* With **Chelsea and Liverpool** also circling, United may need to move fast to avoid a bidding war.
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### 🧠 What This Means for United:
* A deal for **Ekitike would likely push Rasmus Højlund down the pecking order**, further complicating the Danish forward’s future at Old Trafford.
* With INEOS backing Amorim’s rebuild, **United appear willing to shake up the frontline**, even if it means reshuffling young assets.
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Would you like a direct comparison of Ekitike vs Højlund vs Zirkzee in terms of playing style and fit under Rúben Amorim’s system?
