Ruben Amorim now faces Arsenal battle for ‘exceptional’ boyhood Man Utd fan amid £85m asking price

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Manchester United are interested in signing Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike but may now face serious competition for his signature.

Manchester United need to sign a new striker this summer as Ruben Amorim looks to bring more goals to Old Trafford.

Matheus Cunha has joined United, but the Brazilian can’t solve United’s attacking problems on his own.

United are looking to sign Bryan Mbeumo, but the Brentford ace would be viewed as a number 10 alongside Cunha.

Adding a centre forward won’t be easy for United, and a big signing may require some sales with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho all available.

United continue to be linked with Viktor Gyokeres, but the Sporting striker may not be the top target this summer.

• READ: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2025/26

Manchester United face Arsenal battle for Hugo Ekitike

Reports earlier in June claimed that United had made contact to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.

The French forward has become a star in the Bundesliga, racking up 22 goals and 12 assists in all competitions last season.

Ekitike has been hailed as ‘exceptional’ in Germany and may be on the move just 18 months after first joining Eintracht.

United are now keen on the former Paris Saint-Germain forward, though Eintracht are seeking a fee of around £85million for Ekitike.

United simply cannot pay that kind of fee right now, and that may allow other clubs to swoop in.

BILD now report that Arsenal have emerged as a serious suitor for Ekitike and could lure him to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal are desperate to sign a centre forward, just like United, and are now turning towards Ekitike.

The Gunners are able to spend a little more freely than United right now, so Mikel Arteta’s side may believe that this is the time to strike.

Boyhood United fan Ekitike is just one name in the mix for Arsenal, though, and that brings us back to some other familiar names. 

Manchester United and Arsenal in striker hunt

Everybody wants a 25-goal-a-season striker, but there is a limited pool of players who have that quality – or that potential.

Ekitike is one striker who may not be the finished product just yet, but has the potential to become a superstar.

The aforementioned Gyokeres is also wanted by Arsenal, while United-linked Benjamin Sesko is on the Gunners’ radar.

That small pool of strikers is summed up by the fact that three forwards are on the wish lists of both Arsenal and United this summer.

United will hope to land one of those strikers, but may well see Arsenal pull the trigger on a centre forward first, as Amorim and co focus on signing Mbeumo first.