The Frenchman is expected to partner Alexander Isak in attack rather than replace him
Newcastle United are working on a club-record deal to sign French striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a move worth around €75m.
If the deal is completed, the 23-year-old will become Newcastle’s most expensive signing, eclipsing the €70m they paid Real Sociedad for Alexander Isak in 2022.
Ekitike’s agent Ali Barat has travelled to Newcastle to complete the final stages of the transfer, according to ESPN.
The proposed five-year deal shows Newcastle’s ambition under Eddie Howe. The Toons finished fifth last season to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three years under Howe. Ekitike provided 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 games for Frankfurt last season, so Newcastle are counting on that firepower to help them compete on all fronts next season.
The Frenchman is expected to partner Isak rather than replace him, despite rumours linking Isak with a move away from Tyneside. Sources close to the club have confirmed there is no intention to sell the Swedish forward.
Newcastle already tried to sign Ekitike in 2022, and even agreed a deal before the striker ultimately chose Paris Saint-Germain at the last minute. But he had a frustrating stint in Ligue 1, leading to his departure to Germany where he got regular minutes and his form rose sky-high.
Both Isak and Ekitike are capable of playing across the frontline, so even though the Swede has primarily played centrally for Howe’s side, the intention of the club is to play both of them together. Isak is familiar with sharing goalscoring responsibilities with another striker, as he currently does the same in the Sweden national team with Viktor Gyokeres.
