Ekitike has a dream of joining and becoming the first choice for Manchester United's new center! The price tag of 85 million hinders transfers

After the drawbacks of bringing in Liam Delap, Djekereish and Osimhen, United are now locking in their new centre-forward for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. United have reportedly contacted Eintracht Frankfurt and Ekitike to express their interest and understand what would need to be met to secure a deal.

The 22-year-old, who has scored 22 goals and provided 12 assists this season, is a self-proclaimed Manchester United fan. Ekitike, who was born in Reims, France, said the Red Devils were his favourite team as a child. This is understandable, as the French striker, born in 2002 and 11 years old when he retired in 2013, witnessed United's final glory and Ronaldo is also his idol and role model.

Ekitike explained: "I remember my favourite club since I was a kid was Manchester United and I always supported them. In fact, we are a generation and the players we focus on are Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Zinedine Zidane and Pogba. We watched the game and it attracted us and inspired us to create our own achievements on the pitch like they did."

Ekitike played for Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain but failed to impress and was subsequently loaned out to Eintracht Frankfurt, where he proved himself. The team eventually bought him out for £14 million last year, and now Eintracht Frankfurt want to make a big deal with it, and they have a price tag of £85 million (€100 million)! Eintracht Frankfurt have a contract with Ekitike until 2029, so they have every right to do so, with sporting director Markus Krosche publicly stating that they won't sell if the price isn't right, allegedly setting a price floor of €95 million.

Ekitike's technique, pace and finishing skills are often compared to Newcastle United's Isak. Manchester United are reportedly the only club to have been in direct contact with Eintracht Frankfurt over a transfer. Liverpool and Chelsea have also held specific discussions with the player's agent, but have yet to approach the German club. However, those two Premier League sides have qualified for the Champions League, just like Eintracht Frankfurt, who finished third in the Bundesliga just over the season.

France's Foot Mercato reports that Manchester United have been in contact with Ekitike's agent brother quite positively. 'Negotiations between Ekitike's agent and Manchester United's management have accelerated over the past two days. Manchester United have been keeping a close eye on the French striker's debut in Reims since his debut and are now ready to launch an attack in earnest. Negotiations between Manchester United and the team of players are going very well and they have expressed genuine interest. After positive contacts, both sides are optimistic."

Germany's Bild newspaper also confirmed that Ekitike is open to joining Manchester United. However, if United are unable to lower Eintracht Frankfurt's insane £85 million asking price, plans to bring in Ekitike will also be dashed, as he certainly does not deserve the price. Ekitike is tied with Malmmoş as Eintracht Frankfurt's top scorer this season, with the latter selling for €75 million when he moved to Manchester City.

Manchester United have pulled out of the race for 27-year-old Swedish centre-forward Djekereish, who is in a transfer drama with Sporting and Arsenal. According to the Portuguese newspaper Record, Arsenal have suspended their bid for Sweden's striker after their £60 million bid was rejected, and Portugal is now demanding full £85 million in liquidated damages to express its displeasure with the transfer of the player and his agent.

Nigerian centre-forward Osimhen has also been linked with a move to Manchester United, but his £400,000-a-week salary demand is "unattainable". In addition, Osimhen also wants to play in the Champions League, which puts Manchester United and AC Milan at a disadvantage. Galatasaray, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Real Madrid have also been contacted by Galatasaray, Juventus, Arsenal and Real Madrid, so he is in no hurry to decide where to go.

There are not many centre-forwards available to Manchester United in the transfer market, with Crystal Palace's Mateta, Lille's Jonathan David and Juventus' Vlahovic among other options. However, Mateta is likely to renew his contract and there are plenty of potential buyers for Davy on a free transfer, while Vlahovic is cheap and demanding a higher salary.