Man Utd and Chelsea in Hugo Ekitike transfer hunt while Reims ready to let French striker, 19, leave for £30m

MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea have joined the transfer hunt for Reims star Hugo Ekitike.

The 19-year-old forward has caught the eye of Europe’s elite after scoring nine goals in 22 Ligue 1 games.

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Newcastle were linked with the France U20 international back in January.

And the Shields Gazette claims Eddie Howe’s Magpies could rekindle their interest in him this summer.

Now Goal claim they will face serious competition for Ekitike’s signature.

They claim that both United and Chelsea are keen on the hotshot.

And Jürgen Klopp’s title candidate Liverpool is also said to be interested.

However, Reims will play hard ball, demanding around £30m for his prized asset, having already turned down a £29m offer in the winter transfer window.

But its president Jean-Pierre Caillot says Ekitike will be sold if the price is right.

He said: “In Hugo’s case, he would be wasting his time staying with us.

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“We turned down an offer of €35m this winter, which is a lot of money for a club like ours.

“This money will be used to grow and improve the club.

“Hugo will be allowed to go – and he probably will.

“There wasn’t a big club that didn’t ask for him.”