Hugo Ekitike
IMAGE CREDITS: GETTY IMAGES
Hugo Ekitike has been linked with a move to several clubs this summer, including Newcastle United and Liverpool, as both teams look to strengthen their squad.
The 23-year-old is one of the exciting talents in world football, having scored 22 goals in 48 games across all competitions last season for Frankfurt as he helped them qualify for the Champions League.
The France U-21 international has been a Manchester United target this summer as well as Chelsea who ended up signing Joao Pedro from Brighton.
Having finalised the signing of Anthony Elanga last week, Newcastle have now switched attention to Ekitike.
The Magpies tried and failed to sign the Frenchman in 2022, but he chose PSG instead, before Frankfurt then paid PSG just £14m for the forward last summer.
On Monday evening, it was reported by The Times that Newcastle had lodged a £70m bid for the versatile forward.
According to Sky Sports News. Newcastle’s club-record £70m offer for Hugo Ekitike has been turned down by Frankfurt.
The report claims that Frankfurt believe there are other clubs who have signalled they are willing to pay more for the striker, whom they value at £85m.
Eddie Howe’s side have already held talks with Ekitike’s representatives in Austria, as they look to sign the striker they have been tracking for a number of years.
If the deal goes through, it will surpass the £63m they paid to sign Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad in August 2022.
Read more: Alexander Isak £120m transfer approach made by Liverpool
Luis Diaz’s hefty price tag revealed after Bayern Munich bid rejected
Liverpool star wants to leave the club
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.