Newcastle is taking a step to sign Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike for Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea after completing a deal for Anthony Elanga
Eddie Howe can perhaps unleash a frightening new strength while Newcastle is moving to sign Hugo Ekitike to play next to Alexander Isak, instead of replacing him. The magpies urge to complete a transfer for the Eintracht Frankfurt striker prior to a new campaign in the Champions League.
Newcastle relied on Isak for goals last season when the Swede took 27 goals and six assists on the way to a fifth place and success of Carabao Cup. The Star Striker has pulled on the left to Liverpool and Arsenal, but seems to stay in St James' park at the moment and is contraction until 2028.
And Howe can soon have Ekitike to add to his ranks. Newcastle did not succeed twice in landing the attacker in the past, but seem to be determined to sign the Frenchman who contributed 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 games for Frankfurt last season.
The 23-year-old has been the subject of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United, but Newcastle is determined to land him. Reports suggest that agent Ali Barat is trying to complete a deal worth £ 70 million.
That would make Ekitike Newcastle's record signature, whereby the reimbursement for Isak is paid. And that is after splashing £ 55 million on Anthony Elanga.
But how do they all fit in the side? It can offer Howe an alternative to his preference 433.
To preserve the power of his midfield three, the boss of Newcastle can choose to use Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali in the middle of the field to support a front two of Isak and Ekitike. In this case Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga could have a busy time on the flanks as wing backs, while Sven Botman, Fabian Schar and then play burn for Nick Pope.
Otherwise the tone could play with a more traditional back four. Tino Livramento is difficult to drop and can take a place on the right side of Botman and Schar, where Lews Hall returns from injury to appear on the left, with the possibility of entering midfield.
Tonali and Guimares would probably keep their places, and Gordon and Elanga could take their positions wide, despite the good form of Jacob Murphy last season. Isak and Ekitike can then be provided the platform to alternate between leading the line and fall deeper.
Isak has demonstrated the possibility to operate with Viktor Gyokeres on the international service for Sweden, while Ekitike showed flexibility with Omar Marmoush in the first half of 2024/25.
A final alternative could see the midfield of Newcastle three, where Ekitike and Isak use their movement to play between forward roles and a position wide. That is why Gordon and Elanga would fight for the last place in the XI.
Newcastle 1: Pope; Schar, Botman, Burn; Elanga, Joelinton, Guimaraes, Tonali, Gordon; Isak, Ekitike.
Newcastle 2: Pope; Liveramento, Schar, Botman, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali; Elanga, Ekitike, Gordon; Isak.
Newcastle 3: Pope; Liveramento, Schar, Botman, Hall; Joelinton, Guimaraes, Tonali; Gordon, Isak, Ekitike.