Manchester United begin talks to sign £84m Chelsea target

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - APRIL 26: Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig at Deutsche Bank Park on April 26, 2025 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

Manchester United have opened talks to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool, according to reports in Germany.

Chelsea and Liverpool have already made an approach for Ekitike this summer, however, Frankfurt are demanding a €100 million (£84.3m) transfer fee for the 22-year-old.

United, meanwhile, are looking to reinforce Ruben Amorim's attacking options ahead of the new season and have already completed a £62.5m deal to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves.

However, United are also in the market for a central striker and have already seen Liam Delap snub a move to Old Trafford in favour of a transfer to Chelsea.

According to Sky Germany, United have contacted Frankfurt this week to express their 'concrete interest' and discuss a possible deal for Ekitike.

Sport-Club Freiburg v Eintracht Frankfurt - Bundesliga

It's understood that Chelsea have already refused to meet Frankfurt's €100m (£84.3m) asking price and they value the striker closer to €80m (£67.4m).

Meanwhile, BILD have reported that Liverpool are also interested in Ekitike but their main focus has been to reach an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz.

Earlier this month, reports in Germany claimed that Liverpool had held initial talks over a deal for Ekitike, who finished the campaign with 22 goals in all competitions.

Speaking this week, Frankfurt's sporting director, Markus Krosche, insisted that the Bundesliga club are under no pressure to sell Ekitike this summer.

'If the price isn't right, then he'll stay with us,' Krosche told Wiesbadener Kurier. 'We don't have to sell Hugo.'

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