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Arsenal have reportedly approached Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike - a deal that would kill any approach for Alexander Isak.
Speculation has surrounded the Swede due to his incredible season at Newcastle United. Isak has netted 23 times across all competitions and became a Tyneside hero by bagging in the Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool last week.
Toon chiefs are in a strong negotiating position as the 25-year-old has more than three years remaining on his contract. The initial £63million paid to Real Sociedad in August 2022 was questioned but now looks a snip - with The Telegraph reporting earlier this season that the Magpies value Isak at £150million.
Arsenal are one of the clubs linked with a potential move for the Newcastle talisman. Mikel Arteta’s men have, at times, been toothless in attack and many believe a potent No.9 would be their missing piece of the puzzle.
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However, the astronomical valuation would be difficult for the Gunners to match despite pleas from supporters that Isak is the second coming of North London great Thierry Henry. The Sun now claim Arsenal have changed tack and will pursue a move for French forward Ekitike.
A familiar name to Newcastle fans, the 22-year-old twice rejected a move to St James’ Park in the early throes of the Saudi-backed era. The second snub, in particular, angered supporters, with many accusing Ekitike of using the Magpies as leverage to secure a Paris Saint-Germain switch.
His move to PSG did not work out, with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar providing a robust pecking order at the Ligue 1 giants. By the time two of the three moved on, Ekitike had fallen out of favour with Luis Enrique.
A move to Germany has proven fruitful as Frankfurt now value the striker - signed last summer for £13million - at £60million. Ekitike has bagged 19 goals this season, with Liverpool also understood to be keeping tabs on the situation.
Hugo Ekitike regrets Paris Saint-Germain move after snubbing Newcastle United
Ekitike opened up about his regret at joining PSG earlier this month. He told L’Equipe: "I was arriving in Messi and Neymar's last year. Go and get them out? You can't. They have to play, they're the best players in the world.
“You’re behind, you're trying to save time. Two minutes, 15 minutes, two matches on the bench then 60 minutes...there's no lying in football. Only continuity makes you a player who can count.
“I’m not going to say that I did everything well. I could have done better - that's the truth - but they (PSG) didn't help me do better. They didn't give me confidence. Even during training, even through discussions, they never really took the time to talk to me to be able to help me. I found myself in a situation where I was forced to get by.
"Even in a match, I had to think about how I moved so as not to hinder any player so that the team could function. All that, mixed with a confidence that wasn't at its maximum, with a different football… That's a lot of information that meant it didn't work, but I learned a lot."
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