We have decided to sign him over Gyokeres and here’s why”: Manchester United’s coach Ruben Amorim reveals why the club snubbed Gyokeres to agree personal terms with £123m striker ahead of summer transfer window

Manchester United will likely reinforce their frontline during the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils have misfired in front of goal in the Premier League this term. The club have netted just 37 goals from 29 games. Only six teams have scored less than them.

Manager Ruben Amorim will undoubtedly want a new striker in the squad and it has been reported that the club are interested in signing Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.

The 22-year-old signed for the Bundesliga outfit on an initial loan from Paris Saint-Germain before joining permanently last summer. He has been brilliant for them, with 19 goals and eight assists from 38 outings this season.

His statistics are much better than those of RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, who has made most of the news lately. United have also been credited with an interest in the Slovenian ace.

Sesko has immense potential, but Ekitike’s performances have gone under the radar in our opinion.
The Reims graduate has 27 goal contributions compared to Sesko’s 23. He may not possess Sesko’s long-range shooting ability, but he is a better all-around player.

Ekitike has a passing accuracy of almost 80 percent compared to Sesko’s 67. He loses possession less often and is a better dribbler in the final third. United must look to sign him.

The £34 million-rated star has yet to make his senior debut for France but showed his class again for the Under 21s against England yesterday, scoring a hat-trick in just 55 minutes.

Ekitike won 100 percent of his aerial duels in the international friendly. The young Frenchman has all the traits to become a leading striker in the Premier League with the Red Devils.
Manchester United are reportedly targeting Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike as part of their efforts to strengthen their attacking options in the upcoming summer transfer window. The 22-year-old French forward has been in impressive form this season, making him an attractive prospect for the Red Devils.

Hugo Ekitike’s Performance This Season

Ekitike has been a standout performer for Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2024/2025 Bundesliga season. As of March 22, 2025, he has made 24 league appearances, scoring 13 goals and providing 4 assists. His goals-per-90-minutes ratio stands at 0.65, with a total goal involvement (goals plus assists) of 16 for the season.

Manchester United’s Striker Shortlist

Under the guidance of manager Ruben Amorim, Manchester United have compiled a shortlist of potential striker signings to address their goal-scoring challenges. The list includes:

Viktor Gyökeres: The Sporting CP forward has been in prolific form, attracting interest from several top clubs.

Benjamin Šeško: Currently with RB Leipzig, the Slovenian striker is known for his physical presence and finishing skills.

Victor Osimhen: On loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, Osimhen has demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess this season.

Hugo Ekitike: Ekitike’s performances for Eintracht Frankfurt have placed him firmly on United’s radar.

Financial considerations, including the ongoing construction of a new stadium, may influence Manchester United’s ability to secure these high-profile signings.

Ekitike vs. Šeško: A Comparative Analysis

When comparing Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Šeško, both young forwards offer distinct qualities:

Goal Contributions: Ekitike has registered 13 goals and 4 assists in the Bundesliga this season, while Šeško has contributed 17 goals for RB Leipzig.

Playing Style: Ekitike is noted for his passing accuracy and dribbling skills, making him effective in link-up play and creating opportunities in the final third. In contrast, Šeško is recognized for his aerial ability and long-range shooting.

Given these attributes, Ekitike’s all-around play could align well with Manchester United’s tactical approach under Amorim.

Conclusion

Hugo Ekitike’s impressive performances for Eintracht Frankfurt have made him a viable candidate to bolster Manchester United’s attacking lineup. His combination of goal-scoring ability, passing accuracy, and dribbling skills positions him as a strong contender among the club’s striker targets for the upcoming transfer window.