Fabrizio Romano drops huge Newcastle United transfer news – ‘deal on’ for striker
Newcastle United are working on a deal to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Magpies twice agreed a fee with Stade de Reims in 2022 but Ekitike rejected the move in favour of joining Paris Saint-Germain. It left Newcastle fans with a bitter taste in their mouths, though not Eddie Howe, who is hoping it is third time lucky.
United are in the market for a striker after failing to agree a new contract with Callum Wilson. Ekitike is viewed as a similar profile to Joao Pedro, who Newcastle tried to sign before the Brazilian opted for a move to Chelsea.
Fabrizio Romano: Newcastle United working on Hugo Ekitike deal
Providing an update on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “Newcastle are working on the deal to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt. I told you last week and I maintain my position. Newcastle want Ekitike. They wanted Joao Pedro before he went to Chelsea so they are still looking to add one more offensive player.
“They believe Ekitike is perfect for Eddie Howe in terms of skills, potential and goals to bring to the squad and play Champions League football. Newcastle are working hard on the deal to sign Hugo Ekitike.
“He is a top target for them, really pushing now and working on the agreement on the player’s side at Eintracht. Of course, he is an expensive player so it is not an easy deal but Newcastle are in it in these hours, not three or four weeks. Let them work and see what is going to happen.
“We know there are interest from several clubs around Europe, including Liverpool who are still waiting to see what will happen with Darwin Nunez. Chelsea called for him at the beginning of the summer transfer window. For Man United at the moment, the player looks too expensive despite all the links.
“Newcastle are really interested in Hugo Ekitike and are in contact with people in the deal. Let’s follow the situation but for sure, Hugo Ekitike and the Premier League is going to be one of the stories in the second-half of this summer transfer window.”
Eddie Howe ‘We really like Hugo as a player’
Ekitike’s move to PSG did not go to plan and Newcastle supporters took much joy in seeing the forward left out of their Champions League squad for the 4-1 defeat at St James’ Park in October 2023. However, all will be forgotten if the 23-year-old rocks up on Tyneside this summer.
In the following January, Ekitike joined Frankfurt on loan before the move turned permanent. In one and a half years at the Bundesliga club, Ekitike has scored 26 goals and provided 14 assists in 64 appearances.
After missing out on Ekitike, Howe said at the time: “We really like Hugo as a player, there is no denying that. I won’t hide that fact.
“We tried to sign him in January and again this summer, but it wasn’t to be. He has decided to go to PSG, and there are no hard feelings towards the lad. We wish him well.
“We thought he was a real talent and he could have done a really good job for us. But that’s football, that’s the transfer window. They are the teams we are competing against. There is no guarantee you will get your top targets, because if you believe they’re that good then so do other clubs.”
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