Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt
Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt
As with the majority of Alexander Isak stories this summer, another has proved pretty laughable in recent days. This time around it revolves around Newcastle United's reported interest in familiar face Hugo Ekitike.
The Eintracht Frankfurt striker is attracting interest following an impressive campaign in the Bundesliga, with the club said to be asking for €100 million [£86m] to let him leave this summer. Newcastle have, tentatively, been linked, along with Arsenal, Al-Hilal and Al Qadsiah.
Liverpool are said to be the front-runners for the former PSG star, with a belief that Newcastle's name is simply being used via agents to drum up interest in suitors better placed to make a move for the Frenchman.
However, fans of the Reds, who have also been pining for Newcastle superstar Alexander Isak this summer, have taken the Magpies' reported interest in Ekitike as a hint the Swedish striker could leave Tyneside this summer.
This, despite Newcastle seeking to build a squad with two exciting, first-team contenders in each position. As it stands, Eddie Howe is actively pushing to sign a backup for Isak.
Both Liam Delap and Joao Pedro were pursued, before their Chelsea moves, to essentially arrive as competition for the £63m man in the north east.
Even before the Ekitike interest, there has been repeated denials from both Isak and Newcastle that he will seek to depart this summer. As such, there is little to no fear inside the corridors of St James' Park that the club-record signing will leave before the transfer deadline.
"From my perspective, he’s not for sale. I want to build the team and have the strongest possible squad next season," Howe told reporters recently.
"We have a strong squad, and if we can, we’ll add players for the first time in several windows. That would give us a huge boost, and that’s what I’m focused on, not the opposite."
With Newcastle signing Anthony Elanga, attention has turned to securing signings at the opposite end of the pitch. However, with Callum Wilson bidding farewell and William Osula not yet ready to deputise for Isak regularly, an additional central option will be pursued.
At £86m, that player is unlikely to be Ekitike as United target a cheaper forward to push Isak to even greater heights.
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