DONE DEAL: Manchester United officially signed 26-year-old elite striker from top European club for a record-fee of £116million

Manchester United have made an enquiry for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, talkSPORT understands.

Frankfurt value the 22-year-old, who is also admired by Chelsea, at €100million.

The Frenchman scored 22 goals in 48 appearances for the German side in all competitions this season.

United have been linked with a move for Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres, but Arsenal are reportedly his preferred destination.

They have held talks with Ekitike’s agent, although it’s unclear if they will pay the high fee that Frankfurt demand.

talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook spoke more on the striker search at United this summer on Breakfast.

“There were a lot of reports coming out of Portugal over the weekend that Gyokeres has made Arsenal his preference.

“Then there was talk that he might join an overseas club. So I think a lot of games are being played when it comes to Viktor Gyokeres.

“Neither United or Arsenal, as I understand it, have made a formal offer yet. He’s made it pretty clear that he wants to come to England and he’s going to push for that move.

“If United do miss out, they have held talks with the agent of Hugo Ekitike, a young striker at Frankfurt.

“But this is a big money deal for United to try and do. They want €100m euros, Frankfurt.

“I’m not entirely convinced United will pay that. Certainly not without selling players first.”

European football expert Kevin Hatchard has also offered an insight into Ekitike’s player profile as United express their interest.

“Ekitike is a really interesting player because he’s got the ability to beat people one on one, he’s got a burst of pace as well.

“He’s somebody that has really exciting skills one on one. He’s not unique, but there aren’t many strikers like him.”

Hatchard added: “I think what’s actually been really impressive is how he’s learned along his career arc so far.

“He did really well at Reims, he was linked with Newcastle, he was linked with numerous Premier League clubs. But he made the move to Paris Saint-Germain, and that didn’t work out.

“Ironically, he’s the kind of player that PSG probably would now want but at the time, too many stars, the competition was too fierce.

“He just didn’t get in on a regular enough basis, and I think what we saw once he got to Frankfurt was he needed games.

“And as soon as he got those, he blossomed. He worked with a really good coach, Dino Toppmoller, in Frankfurt. He had that great partnership with Omar Marmoush.

“But I think what was really impressive actually is once Marmoush moved on to Manchester City, Ekitike took it upon himself to carry the fight, be the main man in attack.

“I think he was trying a bit too hard to start with after Marmoush had gone, but I really applaud the idea that he wanted to be that leader in attack, he wanted to be that focal point.

“So not only is he somebody who scores goals, but he’s got a great awareness of what’s around him. He can make goals as well, so lot’s of skill, fairly quick as well, and I think lots of room to grow.

“But he needs to go somewhere where he’s going to start, he needs that rhythm, he needs that run of games.”