Hugo Ekitike’s representatives contacted in bombshell update for Manchester United fans | OneFootball

Manchester United are now at risk of losing out on Hugo Ekitike to fellow Premier League outfit Newcastle this summer.

The Magpies have reportedly ‘rekindled their interest’ in the Frenchman in their bid to bolster the forward line.

Eddie Howe’s men are looking to remain competitive on both key fronts – the English top-flight and Champions League – following their return to Europe’s premier competition.

Newcastle secured the final remaining Champions League spot with a fifth-place finish in the 2024/25 campaign.

Newcastle want to rotate Alexander Isak with Hugo Ekitike

(Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Yes, you read that correctly.

According to reputable Telegraph reporter Luke Edwards, Manchester United target Ekitike is not considered a potential replacement for Liverpool-linked Alexander Isak.

The Premier League side will be more than aware of the fact that their involvement in the Champions League means a minimum of an extra eight games tacked on to their 2025/26 campaign. This is a big ask of their first-choice striker.

To that end, the club have contacted the 23-year-old’s representatives to signal their interest.

“Should Newcastle complete the signing of the Frenchman it does not mean Isak will be sold this summer,” the journalist emphasised in his report.

“The Newcastle hierarchy still intend to offer last season’s top goalscorer a new contract later this summer and have no interest in selling him in this window, when he still has three years left on his existing deal.”

How such a move will be possible without sales remains to be seen, given Frankfurt aren’t prepared to budge on the French striker’s €100m [£86.6m] release clause.

Let’s not forget either that the Magpies are desperate for defensive reinforcements, with several defenders on the wrong side of 30.

Yes, Newcastle have the financial delights of Champions League football to help them stay on the right side of PSR regulations. But we just can’t see the club committing such a vast sum when there appears to be so much work to do across the body of their squad.

Manchester United will struggle to bring Ekitike to the Premier League

That’s not to suggest United are necessarily in a strong position as far as this particular transfer is concerned.

We have built up some groundwork with Hugo Ekitike, if reports are to be believed – but £86.6m represents a huge sum for a player who lacks Premier League experience. To put things into perspective, Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku will reportedly cost in the region of £35m.

Manchester United have been seriously hurt already with the decline in output from 2023 signing Rasmus Hojlund. So, we’re not sure if the club’s ready to go even bigger this summer to secure the Frankfurt star’s signature.

And that’s even assuming he’s prepared to sacrifice Champions League football with the Bundesliga outfit and the same prospect with alternative suitors.