Newcastle United are confident of sealing a deal to sign Hugo Ekitike despite competition from Manchester United and Chelsea.
According to a report from 90 Min, Newcastle United are closing in on the capture of Hugo Ekitike. The Premier League outfit are confident they can soon reach a deal to sign the Stade Reims forward, leapfrogging clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea in the process.
Ekitike has been on Newcastle’s shortlist for quite some time. They had tried to sign the player in the January transfer window, but the move broke down as Reims were adamant about keeping hold of their star player. But it appears they are prepared to offload him at the end of the season, with Newcastle United likely to strike a long-term loan deal in order to keep in line with Financial Fair Play regulations.
The Magpies will likely have the option to make the move permanent after the end of the loan spell. The player himself is keen on arriving at St James’ Park and becoming a part of Eddie Howe’s exciting project, with the club poised to compete for the European places in the coming season.
Although Newcastle had set their sights on signing only one striker in the new season, it is plausible they could go after another regardless of the outcome of the Ekitike pursuit. It appears the Magpies are looking for an upgrade over current goalscoring options in Callum Wilson and Chris Wood, with the club reportedly weighing up a €70 million bid for Darwin Nunez.
Meanwhile, Ekitike’s potential move to St James’ Park could serve as a major blow to other interested parties. The report cites Chelsea as one of the clubs to have been linked with a move for the Reims forward. They had most likely targeted him as a replacement for Timo Werner, who, in turn, has been linked with a move to Juventus.
Another potential destination for the Reims forward was Manchester United. Following Marcus Rashford’s struggles, coupled with the expected departures of Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani, the Red Devils are in the market for a new frontman to support Cristiano Ronaldo upfront.
Hugo Ekitike might have been the ideal option due to his technical ability and versatility in the final third. But it appears the young Frenchman has his heart set on a move to Newcastle United, as he looks to become the central figure in the club’s ambitious project next season.
