Having already welcomed Anthony Elanga, Newcastle United are now reportedly “pushing” to sign Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth over £60m this summer.
Securing their second signing of the summer and their biggest so far following Antonio Cordero’s initial arrival, Newcastle will be glad to have got Elanga over the line. The Swede enjoyed an excellent campaign with Nottingham Forest last time out – scoring six goals as well as assisting a further 12 in all competitions – and will now form one of the Premier League’s deadliest trios alongside Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.
Speaking for the first time since welcoming Elanga, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe told the club website: “I’m delighted to welcome Anthony to Newcastle United. He has been a key target for us so I’m delighted to secure him at this early part of pre-season.
“He is an exciting talent with attributes that make him a unique attacking threat. His pace, energy and ability to create and score goals will strengthen us and complement the way we want to play. Anthony is hungry to develop even further with us and to achieve success here, and we’re all looking forward to working with him.”
However, after spending around £55m to reinforce Newcastle’s frontline, PIF still reportedly have unfinished business in the summer transfer window. Recent reports have linked the Magpies with moves for the likes of Giorgio Scalvini, who would be an impressive defensive addition, while a move for James Trafford has been on the cards for some time.
What’s more, fresh reports are now claiming that those at St James’ Park are “pushing” to welcome another talented attacking option.
Downie: What Hugo Ekitike bid means for Alexander Isak
According to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle are now “pushing” to sign Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt after submitting a bid worth over €70m (£61m). Jumping ahead of the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea in the race to sign the Frenchman, the Magpies could be about to form quite the strike partnership between Ekitike and Isak.
Starts
31
34
Goals
15
23
Assists
8
6
Expected Goals
21.6
20.3
Keith Downie has since added comment on the concerns around Isak’s future, speaking to Sky Sports live from outside St James’ Park on Tuesday morning.
“The noises I’m hearing is that Newcastle would like to pair the two of them together, whether that’s a slight tweak of the formation we must see… but also you must look at it in terms of succession planning, Alexander Isak isn’t going to be around forever.”
While the reporter does confirm the Magpies want the Sweden superstar to sign a new contract and hope to begin talks soon, he claims the club will be in a “completely different scenario” next summer if a new deal is not signed and may well be getting their ducks in a row for Isak to leave in 2026.
There will be some concerns over how Ekitike underperformed his expected goals total last season, but keeping hold of the clinical Isak – at least for now – would instantly nullify those concerns.
The forward’s rise is one that former Reims manager Oscar Garcia saw coming from the start of his career, having told reporters: “There is something very special about him. He’s young, and he has the quality to become a very good player. He’s a young man with a lot of quality but also a lot to improve on, but he works hard in training.”
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Now, that “special” player could be on his way to Newcastle to stand next to Isak in one of the best attacks that the Premier League has to offer.
