Manchester United could save £17m by signing Hugo Ekitike alternative

Long before the 2024/25 season came to an end it was obvious to anybody who has watched Manchester United over the last 12 months where their transfer priority lies: signing a new forward.

United lumbered to their worst ever Premier League finish last season and their lack of goals was a major contributing factor.

Their 44 league goals last term was the second lowest of any of the sides who avoided relegation from the Premier League, with forwards Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee managing just seven league goals between them.

As such, Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap was quickly identified as a summer target after scoring 12 league goals for the relegated side.

But it was Chelsea who won his £30million signature and the 22-year-old bagged an assist on his Blues debut in their Club World Cup win over LAFC on Monday.

A number of other forwards have since been linked with United. Napoli forward Victor Osimhen is expected to leave the Italian champions having spent last season on loan at Turkish champions Galatasaray.

Viktor Gyokeres is expected to be on the move too and Ruben Amorim, of course, managed the Swedish international at Sporting CP.

Eintracht Franfkurt forward Hugo Ekitike has also been heavily linked in recent days, too, and the German side are said to value the French international at around £60million.

Osimhen and Gyokeres would be expensive additions too and given United have already splashed out £62.5million on Matheus Cunha and are keen to sign Bryan Mbeumo, who they have already had a bid of £45million plus £10million in add-ons rejected for, they may need to look at securing the most cost effective option up front.

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