Among Manchester United’s lengthy list of attacking targets this summer is Hugo Ekitike, who is ‘expected to leave’ Eintracht Frankfurt at the end of the campaign.
The exhilarating prospect joins the likes of Xavi Simons, Viktor Gyokeres and Liam Delap on INEOS’ rumoured shortlist heading into the transfer season, and he’s certainly in the kind of form United chiefs will want to be seeing.
On Friday night, the Red Devils were reportedly keeping tabs on a U21s clash between France and England, given that both Ekitike and Delap were expected to feature.Yet, only one stole the show.
Ekitike notched a hat-trick during his nation’s 5-3 triumph, with France’s clinicality proving the difference maker; they had 16 shots to the Young Lions’ 24, with seven on target and five finding the back of the net.
Delap did etch his name onto the scoresheet, albeit with something of a consolation goal in the 61st minute after the Frankfurt talisman had already secured the match ball.
Ekitike’s valution is soaring with each passing week
It takes Ekitike’s tally up to a stellar 22 goals and eight assists for club and country in all competitions, making it no surprise he’s so in-demand in the midst of such a scintillating term.
He previously earned high praise from Dutch legend Wesley Sneijder, who said of the youngster (via FootMundo): “I might say something really crazy, but I’ll say it anyway: I think he’s a mix between Neymar and [Kylian] Mbappé. I sincerely think so.
“He has the grace of Neymar, but also the movements of Mbappé. To suddenly accelerate, that’s something that Mbappé also has. And he’s only 22 years old. There’s really a lot of potential in this boy.”
What’s more, Ekitike’s admission in an interview with Frankfurt last year will be music to Ruben Amorim’s ears. When pressed on which was his favourite team as a child, he responded: “Manchester United.”
