Manchester United contacts German club to sign £85.5m Gyokeres alternative

Furthermore, the lack of games gives the team a chance to remain fit, allowing first-team starters to play most games. United have already signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves and are vigorously pursuing Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo to bolster their attack.

United want a regular number nine, alongside Mbeumo and Cunha, to make a formidable attacking partnership for the next season. Both forwards Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have struggled to produce results consistently as the main number nine last season.

According to The Athletic, United have made contact with Frankfurt to sign Ekitike, who is available for around €100 million (£85.5m). The Red Devils were strongly linked with Viktor Gyokeres, but recent development suggests that Sporting Lisbon want £84m for him.

At 22 years of age, Ekitike is much younger than Gyokeres and justifies his valuation with his last season’s performances. Standing at 1.91 metres, the young French attacker has an imposing physique and uses it to his advantage up front.

Despite the belief that Ekitike could struggle in the Premier League due to his lean body and style of play, the 22-year-old has deceptive strength and posture to keep hold of the ball in congested spaces. The young Frenchman made 48 appearances for Frankfurt in all competitions last season, scoring 22 goals and providing 12 assists. Ekitike is still a work in progress, so it is up to United to go for another young striker yet to fulfil his potential or sign someone in their prime and with a more consistent record.