Why Man Utd hold transfer advantage over Arsenal & Liverpool in race for Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike - explained

The race to sign the forward is expected to be among the summer transfer window's biggest sagas, report The Mirror, with the German club notoriously tough negotiators. The Frenchman has scored 19 goals in 39 appearances this season.

United have the edge over their rivals since Ekitike is known to be a boyhood fan of the club. The 22-year-old has previously nearly joined Newcastle and is likely to have plenty of options to choose from, but may be keen to fulfil a dream by moving to Old Trafford.

Any deal to sign Ekitike will be a tough one to do, with a £60 million ($78m) fee being mooted. There is also the complication of his former club Paris Saint-Germain holding 20 per cent of the rights on any future sale.

For now, full focus is on Frankfurt's exciting end to the season. They sit third in the Bundesliga, five points clear of fifth place, and could also seal Champions League qualification via the Europa League, with their quarter-final against Tottenham coming up.