Newcastle is working on a transfer for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike in a movement that has knocked effects this summer for star player Alexander Isak
Newcastle pushes ahead with a transfer for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike – and does not want him to work Alexander Isak in front.
Last season, Ekitike contributed 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 games for Frankfurt to help them qualify for the Champions League. This summer he attracted an interest in a whole series of clubs, including Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United, but Newcastle is determined to land him.
The magpies are shortly after Callum Wilson decided to leave the club as a free agent, instead of signing a new deal. They completed a £ 55 million deal for Nottingham Forest Winger Anthony Elanga and now want to sign Ekitike to add real strength and depth in advance.
Newcastle held conversations with Frankfurt in Germany last week and have now performed their pursuit with further discussions during a pre-season trip to Austria, according to Sky Sports. Ekitike, 23, has a release clause of € 100 million (£ 86 million) and Frankfurt are in a strong position to negotiate, with the France under 21 years to June 2029.
That reimbursement is far beyond the club record £ 63 million newcastle paid Real Sociedad for Isak in August 2022. Newcastle is trying to negotiate a lower reimbursement of approximately € 75 million (£ 65 million), but those potential transfer costs raises important questions about the club's finances.
The athletic reports that a movement for Ekitike without ISAK, which was looked at by Liverpool, would cause problems with the profit and sustainability rules. But Eddie Howe is sure that he wants both strikers and they could play side by side – something that would mean a change in formation.
Last season, Isak scored 23 Premier League goals while the only center-forward and the arrival of Elanga increases the competition for places on the flanks, where Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy play.
Newcastle tried to sign Ekitike in January 2022, but a transfer of £ 20 million fell on the Deadline Day. They have continued to follow his progress and are impressed by his form for Frankfurt, who signed him € 17.5 million last summer.
The German side has proven to be good sellers in recent years, making Omar Marmoush to Manchester City for € 75 million (£ 65 million) and Randal Kolo Muani to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 to sell to Paris Saint-Germain.
Frankfurt sports director Markus Krosch recently told Sport1: “He is one of the most interesting strikers on the European market. Hugo has to decide that. I am happy that we have him. If he decides otherwise, that is our motto: if a player develops faster than we, let him go.”