The Times: United can get player who’s ‘a mix between Neymar and Mbappe’ for £22m less than they initially thought

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·17 Juni 2025

The Times: United can get player who’s ‘a mix between Neymar and Mbappe’ for £22m less than they initially thought

Manchester United are among the host of top European clubs sizing up a move for Eintracht Frankfurt starlet Hugo Ekitike.

Reports of the Red Devils’ concrete interest emerged last week after both Chelsea and Liverpool had begun their pursuit of the attacker. However, United were first linked with Ekitike back in March, when it was revealed he had been added to INEOS’ shortlist alongside Liam Delap.

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Of course, the latter has since snubbed United in favour of joining Chelsea, with Champions League football said to be the determining factor in his decision when both clubs came in for him. He made his debut for the Blues last night in a 26-minute cameo during their opening Club World Cup fixture, during which he contributed an assist.

United have recuperated from Delap snub by setting sights on Ekitike

The Reims graduate has five goals in as many games for France U21s. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Ekitike remains a viable option for the Reds to target, though — and that they will.

According to The Times, INEOS chiefs are ‘monitoring’ the Frenchman’s situation, with Frankfurt keen to recuperate a fee akin to Omar Marmoush’s (£63 million) if they are to reluctantly sanction his sale. Previously, it’s been claimed they would demand around £85m, so the opportunity is certainly there to haggle for a lower fee.

The German outfit have also essentially been backed into a corner to offload their young talisman following reports that he had informed the board he wants to leave this summer. Should his exit come to fruition, he’ll leave Deutsche Bank Park just one year into his five-year deal, which runs until June 2029.

How Ekitike fared last season

2024/2025 has marked a career-best campaign for the 22-year-old, who has been deemed ‘a mix of Neymar and [Kylian] Mbappe’ by Dutch legend Wesley Sneijder.

Ekitike scored 22 goals and contributed a further 12 assists in 48 appearances throughout the term, making it no surprise he’s garnered such a lengthy list of suitors already.