Fabrizio Romano has provided a welcome update for Manchester United supporters regarding concrete target Hugo Ekitike.
It’s only positive if the club actually take heed of it, though, and given how INEOS have approached the window thus far, fans won’t be too optimistic of a deal coming to fruition.
According to Romano, the sought-after forward is ‘expected to move to the Premier League’ this summer, having garnered interest from the likes of United, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Hugo Ekitike preparing for transfer this summer
Reports had already claimed back in May that Ekitike had informed Eintracht Frankfurt of his desire to embark on a new venture at the end of 2024/2025, which will see him pull the curtains on his time at the club just over 12 months after he became a permanent member of the squad.
He originally joined on loan in February 2024 after failing to cement a starting role at Paris Saint-Germain. Only a month into his spell, Eintracht decided to activate his buy option and sign him for £13.8 million.
They’re keen to make their money’s worth if they’re forced to reluctantly sanction his departure in the coming weeks, too, as it’s been suggested that a fee of £85m would be required to twist Eintracht chiefs’ arms into facilitating the deal.
INEOS need to make their move for Ekitike
The ‘incredible’ 23-year-old enjoyed his most prolific season to date last term, recording a hugely impressive 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions.
At Old Trafford, Ekitike would come in as a direct replacement for Rasmus Hojlund, whom United are considering offloading amid interest from Inter Milan.
The worst-case scenario would see INEOS fail to act on any targets and instead choose from one of the three free agents they’ve been offered: Callum Wilson (33), Jamie Vardy (38) or Dominic Calvert-Lewin (28).
It’s a joke honestly seeing the biggest club in history very poor in transfer business. Over five weeks they are trying to get a player while in the time frame other teams have signed more players. Honestly it’s frustrating and doesn’t make sense. The season is here, and here we are dragging with very poor negotiating skills just because of few pounds. That’s madness
It’s just incredible really. Such a poor poor showing. The club’s approach is poor, and this idea of dragging out every single prospective purchase publicly, makes the team’s management look unserious and unprofessional.
The problem of the club is offloading the deadwood from the team, 5 players are due to be shown the exit door but non of them is gone, it’s quite a difficult situation for the management and expect the fans to understand the situation.
My only problem is that Mbeumo transfer is still dragging and who knows when the transfer will be finalised.
I am out of my wits when so-called “restructured better management team” of INEOS cant put simple transfer through for Mbeumo. Just ridiculous. A rebuilt goes beyond this ineptitude. I am highly disappointed. NO ONE SHOULD BLAME AMORIN if things get worse. Is there any plan at all? Who is WORSE now, INEOS or the GLAZERS?
You can forget the three mentioned they’re all too old Vardy Weah and Calvert-Lewin
The Glazers and Ineos led by the old man know nothing about football. Shame Man UTD