Newcastle United are firm admirers of Hugo Ekitike, but a summer move to St James’ Park feels almost impossible.
Ekitike has been linked with Newcastle United again, three years after snubbing the chance to join the Magpies twice.
Newcastle’s next transfer priority is a striker, which could result in a fresh move for the French forward. It has even been reported that Newcastle want Ekitike and Alexander Isak to play together.
However, Geordie Boot Boys’ transfer expert Graeme Bailey has admitted that a transfer to Tyneside for Ekitike only makes sense if Isak is on his way out.
Hugo Ekitike celebrates scoring a goal for Eintracht Frankfurt against Spurs in the Europa League.
Photo by Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Why Hugo Ekitike to Newcastle United simply does not add up
While Newcastle United are fans of Ekitike, Bailey believes that his £86million release clause should end any conversations about him arriving at St James’ Park to play alongside Isak.
“Nobody knows Ekitike better than Newcastle United,” he said.
“They spotted him early, liked him and tried to sign him. They’ve followed his progress and clearly still like him.
“Do I think they are going to pay around £80million for Isak’s backup? When you look at it like that, I can’t imagine there would be a single Newcastle United fan, even the most exuberant and optimistic, that would expect the club to pay £80million for an Isak reserve when they’ve already spent so much money on Elanga.
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“They are doing work on potential Isak replacements. That is not to say he is going to go, but Newcastle are just doing their due diligence. With that in mind, a deal for Ekitike would probably suggest he is replacing Isak. Otherwise I just don’t see how Newcastle do it. He would intrinsically be a squad player.”
Eintracht Frankfurt already have a replacement for Hugo Ekitike
While a move to Newcastle United feels unlikely, Ekitike certainly has a lot of admirers within the Premier League.
On top of that, Frankfurt have already bought a potential replacement for him in Jonathan Burkardt.
“Liverpool did their work on him,” Bailey said.
“He was an option for Arsenal before Gyokeres. Chelsea have been interested. Manchester United too.
“There is a reasonable chance that Ekitike arrives in England, and Frankfurt have already signed a possible replacement in Jonathan Burkardt.”
Out of those clubs, it is difficult to say which is the most likely to land Ekitike. Arsenal no longer need him, while Chelsea have already bought Liam Delap and Joao Pedro this summer. That leaves Liverpool and Manchester United who are yet to solve their striker problem.