With 22 goals and 12 assists to his name in 48 appearances across 2024/2025, it’s no surprise Ekitike has quickly established himself as one of the hottest prospects in Europe.

United have already missed out on one target this summer in the form of Liam Delap, and it’s thought the primary factor behind his decision to snub the Reds for Chelsea came down to the sides’ Champions League status.

It remains to be seen if Ekitike will be of the same stance when comparing his suitors, given that both Chelsea and Liverpool secured their spots in next season’s UCL via their Premier League finishes.

Sky: United can take lead in Ekitike chase by acting efficiently  2j5271

It’s up to INEOS to take their chance by acting swiftly in the coming days, however.

Chelsea kickstart their Club World Cup campaign on Monday — the same day the transfer window reopens — and will be putting their full focus on advancing in the competition, whilst also prioritising a move for Borussia Dortmund starlet Jamie Gittens.

As for the Merseyside outfit, they cannot commit to such a costly acquisition until sales are sanctioned, with Darwin Nunez at the top of the list of players deemed surplus to requirements.

Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg confirmed on Friday that outgoings ‘need to happen first’ for Liverpool to make a formal approach for the Frankfurt talisman, which Ekitike is ‘aware’ of. The fact that they’ve just pledged a whopping £100m to prise Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen has also increased their need to replenish the transfer kitty.