Man Utd tried Hugo Ekitike hijack as Liverpool given extra cause for celebration

Manchester United reportedly made a late push to sign Hugo Ekitike but saw their approach turned down by the player himself. Liverpool are waiting to complete an £82million deal for the striker, who is expected to sign a six-year deal with his new club. He will fly to England on Tuesday to undergo a medical and complete the formalities of the proposed move.

The young Frenchman has enjoyed a productive spell in Germany, scoring 22 goals in all competitions last season. He will be tasked with leading the line for Liverpool next season as they go in search of back-to-back Premier League titles. Newcastle were initially keen on bringing Ekitike to St James' Park before the Merseyside giants swooped in.

Liverpool originally wanted Alexander Isak but were informed by the Magpies that he was not for sale under any circumstances. They responded by switching their focus to a move for Ekitike and wasted no time in wrapping up a deal.

However, their move was nearly hijacked by United with the Red Devils making a last-minute bid for his signature, according to The Athletic.

Those in power at Old Trafford reportedly tried to stun their rivals by snatching Ekitike for themselves in a dramatic twist. Their proposal fell on deaf ears, though, with the player already committed to joining Liverpool.

United's failed approach will bring an extra sense of satisfaction for the Anfield giants, with Ekitike set to be confirmed as their latest signing over the coming days.

There will be a lot of pressure on the 23-year-old to succeed, with Frankfurt having recently sold a number of strikers who have struggled at their new clubs.

The likes of Randal Kolo Muani, Omar Marmoush, Luka Jovic and Sebastian Haller have experienced varying degrees of success since leaving the Waldstadion and Ekitike will be desperate to buck that trend next season.

He has already been compared to players like Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, with former Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder waxing lyrical about the forward.

After watching Ekitike score in a Champions League victory over Ajax last season, Sneijder said: "I might say something really crazy, but I'll say it anyway... I think he's a mix between Neymar and Mbappe. I sincerely think so.

"He has the grace of Neymar but also the movements of Mbappe. To suddenly accelerate, that's something that Mbappe also has. And he's only 22 years old. There's really a lot of potential in this boy."

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