Newcastle United are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Stade de Reims attacking sensation Hugo Ekitike in a £30 million deal.
According to a report by 90 min, Hugo Ekitike is the subject of interest from Newcastle United over a possible move in the January transfer window. The Magpies are already in advanced talks with Ligue 1 club Stade de Reims to complete a £30 million deal for the 19-year-old attacking sensation.
Hugo Ekitike is widely regarded as one of the best young strikers in France, making significant progress since joining Stade de Reims from Cormontreuil FC in 2013. The teenage prodigy made his first-team debut for the Ligue 1 club in October 2020, but after he returned from a short-term loan deal with Vejle Boldklub, he has established a foothold at Reims.
The 19-year-old has garnered a solid tally of eight goals and four assists in 19 appearances across all competitions this season. Ekitike’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with several Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, setting their sights on him over a possible January move.
Newcastle United’s much-anticipated squad overhaul began with Kieran Trippier’s arrival from Atletico Madrid last week. The new regime is expected to make sweeping changes to the first-team squad, with signing a striker becoming a priority due to Callum Wilson’s latest fitness issue.
The English international is sidelined for the foreseeable future due to a calf injury, forcing Newcastle United to enter the transfer market for a striker. With his team’s talisman unavailable, Eddie Howe does not have any prolific striker at his disposal, with Allan Saint-Maximin a better outlet during build-up play rather than a poacher.
Newcastle United will thus need to sign a striker at the earliest possible opportunity, with their relegation battle in the Premier League leaving them with very little margin of error. And as per 90 min, the Tyneside club could sign two strikers this month, with Chris Wood one of the options on their wishlist.
Ekitike is also a viable target for Newcastle United, with the 19-year-old being a viable option for the long run as compared to someone like Wood, who can come in and hit the ground running. And according to the report, the Magpies are already in advanced talks with Reims over a possible £30 million deal.
Ekitike’s eight goals in 17 Ligue 1 appearances make him the highest-scoring teenager in Europe’s top five leagues, which points towards the kind of talent Newcastle United will be signing if he arrives at St. James’ Park this month. With talks already reaching an advanced stage, a £30 million transfer could see the light of the day soon.
