Hugo Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike
There are long-standing targets. Then there are long-standing targets like Hugo Ekitike. Could it be a case of third time lucky for Newcastle United?
. Ekitike was a relative unknown on these shores when first tried to sign the Frenchman, in 2022, but the striker is now very much a household name. Hence Geordies' understandable excitement.
After all, Ekitike was directly involved in 34 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt in all competitions last season. For context, Ekitike only turned 23 a few weeks ago.
This is a player who has all the attributes - the rapid pace, the technical ability and the confidence in front of goal - to potentially become one of Europe's best in the right hands. And Eintracht Frankfurt know that.
It is one of the many reasons why there remains a degree of caution with this deal. Eintracht Frankfurt are notoriously tough negotiators, who had the foresight to insert an £86m release clause into Ekitike's contract, while Newcastle previously got far down the track in successive windows only for the move to fall through on both occasions.
Ekitike had 'a lot of respect' for Newcastle, but the Frenchman felt the 'timing was not right' when the Magpies first came calling for the then Reims striker in January, 2022. Newcastle returned to the table a few months later, but Ekitike opted to join PSG instead.
Hugo Ekitike
However, it was rather telling that Eddie Howe bore no ill will towards Ekitike. Newcastle instead continued to monitor Ekitike's development, which stalled at PSG before it picked right back up at Eintracht Frankfurt, and the black-and-whites are now working on a club-record deal.
Outsiders may question how Newcastle are in a position to do so. Well, it is worth noting that Anthony Elanga was Newcastle's first major addition in nearly two years and substantial losses have dropped out of the new rolling PSR cycle, which will take the financial period between 2024 and 2026 into account.
Newcastle have qualified for the Champions League, which is more lucrative than ever, and the club still have the capacity to sanction further departures if required in the final weeks of the window having already sold Elliot Anderson, Yankuba Minteh, Lloyd Kelly and Miguel Almiron in the last year alone.
There is also a financial argument that this summer is the time to strike given the very real possibility that Ekitike could simply be unobtainable within the next 12 months if Newcastle do not move now.
Not only could another club come in - Liverpool are known admirers - but Ekitike's value could soar further even if the Frenchman stays at Eintracht Frankfurt. The Bundesliga side would certainly be entitled to hold out for £86m next summer if Ekitike has another impressive campaign.
So where does that leave Alexander Isak? Given the pair's similarities, and the mooted fee, a number of Liverpool fans have even speculated that Newcastle are preparing for Isak's departure this summer, but that is not the case. Quite the opposite, in fact,
Alexander Isak (Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
It is worth noting that Ekitike previously formed a strong partnership with another similar striker, Omar Marmoush, at Eintracht Frankfurt and the 23-year-old set up a dozen goals last season.
Newcastle have been in the market for such a player who can complement Isak as well as ease the burden on the Sweden star after the Magpies previously attempted to sign Joao Pedro last month.
Howe has been wedded to his 4-3-3 formation at Newcastle for a reason - Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali have formed one of the most effective midfield partnerships in the Premier League - but the Magpies boss has previously fielded a back three and even two strikers on occasion.
Howe used a 4-4-2 at Bournemouth but after taking charge of Newcastle, in 2021, the head coach was privately unsure if his side would be strong enough out of possession to play that system because it would leave the midfield and defence with huge spaces to cover.
Howe did not feel the formation suited the players at the time, but an awful lot has changed since then on and off the field.
Whereas Newcastle attempted to sell a dream to Ekitike in January, 2022 - the black-and-whites were in a relegation dogfight at the time - the club can now point to real, tangible progress.
Champions League nights are returning to St James' Park
It feels like the project is entering its next phase. In truth, to compete at the very top, and on multiple fronts, Newcastle need options and the ability to be flexible. Just look at those sides around them, who all have stacked forward lines.
Manchester City have Erling Haaland and Marmoush. Liverpool have signed Florian Wirtz in a deal worth £116m this summer. Chelsea have recruited Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap in the last month alone to add to their stable of forwards. Arsenal are going big on Viktor Gyokeres. Newcastle are merely looking to follow suit with Ekitike
It is a pursuit that brings back one or two memories. Howe has repeatedly spoken of his admiration for the Entertainers and an era where Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand briefly formed a devastating partnership despite critics once suggesting they could not play together.
Signing Ekitike and pairing the striker with Isak would be the ultimate tribute.