Newcastle United once again linked with highly-rated striker with £86m release clause as backup for Alexander Isak
It has recently been suggested that Newcastle United will focus on bringing in a new striker after tying up the signing of Anthony Elanga.
With Callum Wilson having left the club, Newcastle are once again left with just two recognised strikers, which proved to be a huge mistake last time the Magpies took part in the Champions League.
Newcastle have learned from their mistakes and want to make sure there's adequate, quality backup for Alexander Isak next season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been consistently linked with a move to Tyneside, and now that he's a free agent, those rumours aren't going away, but Newcastle appear to be aiming higher than the former Everton man.
Newcastle remain at the table for Hugo Ekitike this summer
Recent reports have linked Newcastle with another move for Hugo Ekitike after failing to land the French forward three years ago.
Ekitike's career trajectory took a bit of a hit after he opted to join Paris Saint-Germain over Newcastle but he's since managed to recover at Eintracht Frankfurt, where he's now catching the attention of the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle.
The Telegraph have today reported that Newcastle are indeed looking at Ekitike again as Eddie Howe continues his mission to have two top-quality players for each position. Journalist, Luke Edwards seems confident that it's a deal that could be done.
Newcastle having Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike would be a massive statement
Ekitke has an £86 million release clause in his Frankfurt contract, but while the Bundesliga side would prefer that to be activated in order to part with the 23-year-old, Newcastle are hoping to agree a much lower fee.
Signing Hugo Ekitike to play second-fiddle to Alexander Isak would be a huge statement by Newcastle, but it's that very aspect that makes this one so unlikely. Ekitike isn't going to want to come to Newcastle to ride the bench, so unless he's given assurances about game time, we just don't see this one happening.
Or, as a friend proposed today, we have both for a year, then Isak is sold next summer for a huge profit, and Ekitike takes over as the main striker. We can see that being the case. We don't want it to be, but it could get the deal done.
Right now, it just seems like there are too many things stacked against Newcastle to get a deal done for Ekitke, but we'll see how it goes.
