‘Newcastle set to finalise blockbuster Hugo Ekitike deal’
Newcastle United appear to have found a major breakthrough in their pursuit of striker Hugo Ekitike.
Ekitike has been a long-time target of the Magpies, who reignited their interest in the forward after missing out on Joao Pedro to Chelsea.
The 23-year-old struggled at PSG but since joining Eintracht Frankfurt midway through the 2023/24 campaign, has re-established himself as one of Europe’s hottest properties.
Ekitike has registered 26 goals and 14 assists in 64 appearances across all competitions for the German side, including 15 goals and eight assists in 33 Bundesliga outings last season to help Frankfurt qualify for the Champions League.
Newcastle closing in on Ekitike signing
Liverpool also showed an interest in Ekitike but now, it appears the France youth international is destined for St. James’ Park.
French journalist Julien Laurens — a regular for the likes of ESPN and TNT Sport — revealed on Monday (14 July) that ‘super agent’ Ali Barat had arrived in Newcastle to complete Ekitike’s move to the North East.
Laurens stated that Newcastle will pay a fee in the region of €80million (£69.5m) for Ekitike, despite an earlier report from The Telegraph that the striker had a release clause of £86m.
This was then verified by David Ornstein of The Athletic who reported that talks were ongoing.
If the move is, indeed, completed, Ekitike will be Newcastle’s third signing of the summer alongside Anthony Elanga and Antonito Cordero.
Newcastle building attack fit for the Champions League
Football Insider verdict
When rumours of Newcastle’s interest in Ekitike first surfaced, many supporters will have feared that meant saying goodbye to Isak.
After all, the Sweden international was second only to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (29) in the Premier League Golden Boot race last season with 23 goals — a tally extending to 27 across all competitions.
However, it’s now understood Ekitike will be arriving to work alongside Isak, with the two rotating in the starting XI and perhaps even forming a partnership as Eddie Howe once again negotiates Champions League commitments.
This, alongside the addition of Elanga from Nottingham Forest, shows Newcastle forming an attacking line-up fit for the Champions League — especially if they can keep hold of Anthony Gordon.
Howe will be expecting big things of his bolstered attack, especially considering the Magpies scored 68 Premier League goals last season — with only Liverpool (86), Man City (72) and Arsenal (69) managing more.