What Ruben Amorim needs most right now is a striker who can finish off chances judging from Manchester United’s dismal displays in front of goal this season.
Only five teams have scored fewer goals than them this season and while Joshua Zirkzee has impressed as a creative force, Rasmus Hojlund has struggled up top on his own and the head coach reportedly wants him gone in the summer.
However, finding a replacement will not be easy given the club’s financial situation and even more so if they fail to qualify for the Champions League via the Europa League route.
Amorim’s preferred option Viktor Gyokeres wants to play in the top tier continental competition which is why he turned down the chance to reunite with the United boss in January.
Striker hunt
Victor Osimhen has no such demands but his wages and Napoli’s asking price might be a deterrent which is why he is looking at a Saudi Pro League move even though United have presented an offer.
Another striker on the club’s wishlist is Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt who has been in red-hot form this term. The Frenchman has 19 goals and eight assists this season for his club.
The French U21 team have also benefited from his class in front of goal with the former Paris Saint-Germain star netting an impressive hat-trick against England recently.
The 22-year-old is a United fan, which is another added incentive behind completing a move but Frankfurt will demand £67 million to let him go, a price the 20-time English league champions will struggle to afford.
Nevertheless, as per Anfield Watch, club officials remain in touch with the “special” talent’s camp and even sat down with them recently and presented a proposal.
They were not alone with fierce rivals Liverpool and Arsenal doing the same. Talks went positively but a lot will depend on how much the Bundesliga side end up demanding.
Ekitike meeting
“Anfield Watch can exclusively reveal that Liverpool are already working on a deal to bring Ekitike to the club and held talks with the 22-year-old’s representatives in London last week.
“These were preliminary talks, expressing the club’s vision and plans for Ekitike and Liverpool were not the only club to present their intentions.
“Representatives from Manchester United and Arsenal also held talks with Ekitike’s entourage to present their own plans and visions. All of the talks went positively, and it is understood all three will be in the race to sign Ekitke in the summer.”
The Frenchman still has four years left on his current deal, which is why Frankfurt are in an advantageous position but with the player looking for an out, the German side might be forced to relent.
Obviously, the Red Devils have other young options like Liam Delap and Lorenzo Lucca on their radar. An intriguing window awaits fans.
Feature image Alex Grimm via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
