Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be well aware that the forthcoming window could be pivotal for Manchester United. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Eintracht Frankfurt will be doing their utmost to keep hold of star performer Hugo Ekitike this summer amid growing interest across Europe.
As is so often the case for up-and-coming talents who’ve been able to quickly prove themselves in top leagues, their clubs are eventually made to concede defeat and sell to the highest bidder. Just look at some of the players Borussia Dortmund have had to part ways with over the last decade.
Now, Ekitike may begin planning for life outside the Bundesliga, having garnered a lenghty list of admirers following his stellar season up to this stage. A whopping 19 goals and eight assists in 38 appearances was impressive enough, but he put on a show in front of a host of Premier League scouts – including Manchester United’s – when he netted a hat-trick for France’s U21s against England last week.
Still only 22 years old, he boasts experience with Reims, Vejle Boldklub and Paris Saint-Germain in his senior career. He joined Frankfurt in 2024 in a £13.2 million deal following a spell on loan, but is now expected to cost a ‘huge’ fee (Football Insider) if the German outfit are to part ways prematurely.
Ekitike isn’t short of admirers in England
Newcastle United had a bid – believed to be in the region of £30m – accepted by Reims for Ekitike back in 2022 before the player himself turned down the move, prompting them to pursue alternative targets. Now, it’s thought he’s still of interest to the Magpies, and a switch to St. James’ Park may prove more lucrative this time around.
It remains to be seen exactly how much money INEOS have set aside to bolster Ruben Amorim’s frontline. They will receive £40m worth of straight profit if Aston Villa decide to sign Marcus Rashford permanently, as well as £25m through Chelsea’s obligation to buy Jadon Sancho upon the culmination of the term.
Ekitike certainly ticks the owners’ boxes of being a young, proven talent who could easily lead the line for years to come.
