Manchester United reject Amorim’s striker plan, chase £85m star from Eintracht Frankfurt instead.
Manchester United transfer news is heating up as the club continues to search for a top striker ahead of the new season. Despite head coach Ruben Amorim having clear preferences, the club’s decision-makers have reportedly gone in a different direction by launching talks to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Manchester United to Finalize Bryan Mbeumo Deal First
Before focusing fully on their striker search, Manchester United are expected to complete a deal for Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo. However, this transfer is not guaranteed just yet, as Tottenham Hotspur are also trying to sign Mbeumo, with their interest driven by manager Thomas Frank, who previously coached the player.
Once the Mbeumo deal is done, Man Utd are set to prioritise the signing of a new striker to support or compete with current forward Rasmus Hojlund.
Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres Rejected Manchester United
According to recent reports, INEOS, the club’s new football leadership group, and Amorim had identified Liam Delap from Ipswich Town as their number one striker target. But the young English forward turned down United and chose to join Chelsea in a £30 million transfer.
Following that disappointment, Amorim reportedly pushed for a reunion with Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, who enjoyed a brilliant season in Portugal. But just like Delap, Gyokeres is said to have rejected a move to Old Trafford.
Manchester United Open Talks with Hugo Ekitike Despite Concerns
With their top striker targets turning them down, Manchester United have now opened talks with German club Eintracht Frankfurt for the signing of 22-year-old striker Hugo Ekitike.
Ekitike had a breakthrough season in Germany, scoring 22 goals and providing 12 assists in 48 appearances. These stats have caught United’s attention, but the club still has serious concerns about his inconsistency in previous seasons.
Frankfurt are reportedly demanding a huge fee of £85 million for the French forward, which has raised alarm bells within United’s leadership. After past expensive mistakes—like Rasmus Hojlund’s underwhelming impact since his £72m move from Atalanta—United are being cautious.
Ekitike’s Inconsistent Track Record Worries Manchester United
While Ekitike impressed last season, his past performances have been disappointing. During his time at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), he only scored four goals in 17 matches and had limited playing time. The season before that, he only managed four goals in 32 games for Stade de Reims.
This inconsistency makes the £85m price tag look risky, especially compared to proven strikers like Victor Osimhen of Napoli and Viktor Gyokeres, both of whom Amorim would reportedly prefer.
Ruben Amorim Wants a Proven Goal Scorer
Ruben Amorim, who joined Manchester United to lead a new era, is said to be pushing for a reliable, experienced goal scorer—someone who can make an immediate impact. He is not convinced that Ekitike fits that role.
Despite this, the club has still gone ahead with talks for the young French striker, leading to reports that United’s top decision-makers are ignoring Amorim’s recommendations. This could create tension if results don’t go well next season.
Man Utd May Still Target Gyokeres or Osimhen
Even though talks for Ekitike are ongoing, Manchester United have not ruled out other options. According to GIVEMESPORT, both Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres are still on the club’s shortlist. These players match Amorim’s desire for a striker with a proven goal-scoring record at the top level.
However, signing either Gyokeres or Osimhen will likely require offloading current players to make room financially.
United Must Sell Before Buying More
After a possible deal for Mbeumo and any future striker signing, Manchester United need to sell players to balance their budget and stay within Financial Fair Play regulations.
Reports suggest that several high-profile names are on the transfer list, including:
Alejandro Garnacho
Marcus Rashford
Jadon Sancho
Antony
United are expected to listen to offers for these players during the summer transfer window to free up funds and reshape the squad.
Conclusion: Manchester United’s Striker Hunt Gets Complicated
Manchester United’s summer transfer window is getting intense. With Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres rejecting the club, and Ruben Amorim’s striker preferences being ignored, the Red Devils are now in talks for Hugo Ekitike.
But with a high asking price and an inconsistent past, United must decide if Ekitike is worth the risk or if they should push harder for proven talents like Victor Osimhen. Either way, the club will have to sell players before making more big moves.
Stay tuned for more Manchester United transfer news and updates as the summer window progresses.
