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.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
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.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Viktor Gyokeres breaks silence on his future after Arsenal make move
MORE: Gabriel urges Arsenal to sign ‘phenomenal’ £67m transfer target this summer
MORE: Andy Robertson lifts lid on discussions over his Liverpool future
