Newcastle United are suddenly moving forward in their pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike in what could be a club-record deal.
It was clear the Magpies were going to sign a striker after Anthony Elanga, but very few could have predicted how fast this deal was going to move.
Newcastle United are in need of a No.9 following Callum Wilson’s departure last week, and have identified Hugo Ekitike as his replacement.
Reports over the weekend said that Newcastle had spoken to Ekitike’s agent over a move this summer, stating their intent to bring the 23-year-old to Tyneside.
Ekitike was not Newcastle fans’ first choice, but there is still an air of excitement over the possibility of signing him. Now, with money there to spend, multiple sources are now stating that there is a major update in the Magpies’ chase of the striker.
Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring in a Europa League game between Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Photo by Harry Murphy – Danehouse/Getty Images
Newcastle United place a bid of over €70m for Hugo Ekitike
It is a huge update coming from Fabrizio Romano, who previously reported the Magpies’ interest last week. Ekitike had a brilliant season with Eintracht Frankfurt, registering 23 goal involvements in the Bundesliga alone. Howe now believes that he will be a perfect fit in attack.
According to Romano, Newcastle have lodged a bid of over €70m (£60.8m) for Ekitike, a fee that is approaching the record transfer fee. The number Romano gave was not verbatim, so the fee could even overtake the record set when Alexander Isak signed for £63m in 2022.
Elsewhere, the likes of Florian Plettenberg have stated that Newcastle held meetings in Germany over the weekend with Frankfurt and the player’s camp. On Monday, further talks took place in Austria, where the Magpies are currently taking a training camp.
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🚨⚪️⚫️ EXCL: Newcastle submitted an official bid today to Eintracht Frankfurt for Hugo Ekitike!
Proposal higher than €70m previously offered by another club this summer with Newcastle pushing to get the deal done.
Negotiations underway. 🔛🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/NYfrlsQKLP
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 14, 2025
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It is believed that Frankfurt want £86m for Ekitike, but Howe and his recruitment team will be eager to get that fee down as much as they can.
Eddie Howe wants Hugo Ekitike alongside Alexander Isak at Newcastle United
Fans are getting excited now that money is being spent, and spent on a young striker who will likely be an heir to Isak’s position in the future.
For now, Howe is eager to have Ekitike and Isak form a partnership at Newcastle and create what will be one of the most frightening attacks in the Premier League.
Having already signed Elanga for the right wing, Ekitike will likely play behind Isak as a shadow striker, in a similar role Joao Pedro would have played if he decided to move to Tyneside.
The development has left Liverpool fans thinking they will sign Isak if Ekitike arrives, but Howe is clearly settled on playing with two strikers next season. With the deal moving fast, who knows what could come next for the Magpies.
Talks for James Trafford are ongoing, while Newcastle are still trying to sign a new centre-back.