Newcastle United 'pushing hard' to sign Hugo Ekitike with meetings held last week - Keith Downie
Newcastle United's next priority in the transfer market after signing Anthony Elanga is to bring in another top striker.
One name is dominating the NUFC headlines as Newcastle's striker search continues, and that's Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike, who could cost the Magpies £86 million if the Bundesliga club get their wish.
That would eclipse Newcastle's current transfer record of £63 million, which is what Alexander Isak cost just three years ago.
The huge fee involved would suggest that Eddie Howe is looking to deploy a new system next season, as spending such money on someone to sit on the bench to support Alexander Isak would be an insane move.
Keith Downie has reported a lot of activity regarding Newcastle and Hugo Ekitike
Indeed, in an update from Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie on X, he does claim that the plan would be to play alongside Isak, as he reports Newcastle have been in talks with Frankfurt.
Newcastle United have stepped up their interest in long-term striker target Hugo Ekitike.
New: The Tyneside club have held meetings in Germany over the past week with Eintracht Frankfurt & player’s camp.
And today Sky Germany colleague @Plettigoal reports further meetings have taken place in Austria, where Newcastle have travelled for a pre-season training camp.
Talks centre over what would be a #NUFC club-record offer for the the 23-year-old striker.
Frankfurt want £86m for Ekitike.
Newcastle tried and failed to sign the Frenchman in 2022, and he moved to PSG from Reims instead.
Newcastle pushing hard to get Ekitike to play alongside Alexander Isak in attack.
Newcastle could have the deadliest strike force in the Premier League if this move comes off
We've been sceptical about Ektitke since the reports started, but it seems now that the Magpies are pushing to get this one done.
Liverpool fans will be getting excited thinking that Ekitike's arrival will herald the exit of Alexander Isak, and Newcastle fans will understandably be nervous of the same.
However, if Eddie Howe can find a way to satisfy the game time needs of both strikers, potentially playing them together, then the Premier League needs to be very, very frightened of our forward line next season.
