Manchester United want Hugo Ekitike and enquire over summer move

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Manchester United have enquired over a potential transfer for Ligue 1 strike whizkid Hugo Ekitike.

ESPN report United have reached out to Ekitike’s representatives. The youngster plays for French side Reims and is expected to move this summer.

United scouted Ekitike in February, 90Min reported. ESPN claim United are likely to be competing against Arsenal, Newcastle and Bayern Munich for his signature.

Ekitike has not yet made up his mind. He could cost as little as £13 million, and Erik ten Hag will have the final say whether to approve a potential deal.

Manchester United want Hugo Ekitike

It is very probable the £13 million price tag quoted shoots up amid a bidding war from interested clubs, but Ekitike should still be reasonably priced in comparison to Darwin Nunez, for instance.

Ekitike, 19, has scored nine goals in 21 Ligue 1 games this season, of which 14 have been starts.

United would be buying potential as opposed to the finished product. But this is a superior strategy to buying ageing stars, with Edinson Cavani, 35, set to leave.

The Uruguayan has been an injury-prone disappointment this season, admitting last night he would have left if he knew Cristiano Ronaldo was being signed.

Ekitike would be a young prospect who would be more of a replacement for Mason Greenwood, giving United’s strike force the youth it needs.

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick told the club website this week that United need to sign two ‘modern strikers’ this summer, and Ekitike fits the bill.

What they say

The Mail reported Ekitike’s emergence has been compared to Kylian Mbappe, who made a name for himself at Monaco before joining Paris Saint-Germain.

Ekitike is described by Ligue 1’s website as a ‘strapping 6’3″ forward, adding: “Ekitike has the height to strike fear into many an opposition centre-back, but his build-up play also deserves recognition.

“Ekitike has the technique and ball control often associated with far smaller players.”

Reims are 12th in Ligue 1, and manager Oscar Garcia said: “We saw in pre-season that he had a lot of the qualities required to become a top striker. Technically he’s so good. He’s fast.

“He has to develop a little bit more physically but he’s a player who, for me, can play for a top club. We’ve improved him. He should keep improving.”