Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Sat 15 March 2025 8:30, UK
Newcastle United will have to pay a “huge fee” in order to sign Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike during the summer transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that if the Magpies sign Ekitike then it would “probably be as a replacement for Alexander Isak.”
The Sweden international is a highly sought-after striker by many of the Premier League’s elite clubs heading into the summer transfer window, and it is believed that if Newcastle fail to qualify for the Champions League it will be a real “issue” for them to try and keep hold of Isak.
Football Insider revealed that Arsenal have identified Isak as their priority target this summer, while Liverpool are willing to offer Eddie Howe’s side Darwin Nunez as part of the deal.
However, the Magpies are set to be in the market for a striker regardless of Isak’s future as Callum Wilson is expected to depart St James’s Park at the end of this season when his contract expires.
Ekitike is someone who Newcastle are long-term admirers of as they attempted to sign him twice during the January transfer window back in 2022, and the summer transfer window of the same year.
Club stats 2024-25 (all competitions) Ekitike
Appearances 37
Goals 19
Assists 7
Minutes played 2,687
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The 22-year-old is considered to be one of the best young players in Europe and has a proven track record of knowing where the back of the net is.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Frankfurt may choose to retain Hugo Etitike
Newcastle might be interested in signing Etitike, but Frankfurt are under no real pressure to see him as he only joined the club permanently last summer and he is under a long-term deal until 2029.
Frankfurt proved with the Omar Marmoush deal that they will not be bullied into selling their top players for small fees, as they got a significant fee of £59million from Man City in January.
Well-placed sources have told Football Insider that Frankfurt would be looking for at least £67million for Ekitike, meaning any team will have to dig deep into their pockets to sign him as the German side aims to price out the competition.
Alexander Isak celebrates a Newcastle goal
Photo Credit: Imago
Newcastle will have competition for Hugo Ekitike’s signature
Newcastle are also not set to be the only club trying to sign Ekitike during the summer transfer window as Arsenal and Liverpool are also monitoring him, with both clubs in the market for a striker this summer.
They will both be in a slightly stronger position than Newcastle due to the profit and sustainability and financial fair play pressure on the Magpies, regardless of their riches.
The only way it would be feasible for Newcastle would be if they opted to cash in on Isak, as the Premier League talisman would command a high fee himself.
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