Newcastle United are now reportedly eyeing a summer hijack to sign a 17-goal Arsenal target who is back to his best and back on the Magpies’ radar after being linked in 2022.
Newcastle transfer news
After PSR kept them quiet on the transfer front in the two previous windows, Newcastle could be back with a vengeance when the summer arrives and they’re past any aforementioned concerns. But that could begin with the sale of Alexander Isak. The talented Swede has attracted interest from across the Premier League’s top six and will be one to watch this summer.
If Newcastle were to sell their main man for big-money then there’s no doubt that they’d be in their most powerful position to spend yet under PIF, but it would certainly be quite the sacrifice for Eddie Howe to make.
That said, it seems as though those at St James’ Park are certainly preparing for the worst amid interest from both Liverpool and Arsenal, which could ironically see them steal in ahead of the Gunners to land another star man.
According to Football Transfers, Newcastle are now plotting a summer hijack to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a move that would see them beat Arsenal in the market. The Gunners are actually eyeing the Frenchman as a cheaper alternative to Isak, so the Magpies could cause chaos if they sign one and keep the other.
Of course, Ekitike should be a name that Newcastle chiefs know well given that the Frenchman very nearly completed a move to St James’ Park in 2022 before ultimately choosing Paris Saint-Germain.
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It was a decision that the forward quickly regretted, having struggled for game time with competition from Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar always certain to leave him watching on from the bench.
Rediscovering his best form at Frankfurt since that nightmare spell, however, Ekitike could get a second chance to complete his move to Newcastle this summer.
“Phenomenal” Ekitike is back to his best
Considering that Ekitike was seemingly Newcastle’s original choice before his decision to join PSG led them to Isak, it would only be natural that they turn towards the Frenchman once again should they need a striker this summer.
This is far from the PSG Ekitike either. This is the man Newcastle were chasing in 2022 – the young, clinical forward who has all the quality in the world to replace Isak.
|
League stats 24/25 (via FBref) |
Hugo Ekitike |
Alexander Isak |
|---|---|---|
|
Starts |
20 |
23 |
|
Goals |
12 |
17 |
|
Assists |
3 |
3 |
|
Expected Goals |
15.1 |
14.2 |
Involved in just five less goals than Isak, if Ekitike just improves his finishing that much more to match his expected rate then he could provide Newcastle with the ultimate solution if their star man departs this summer, or become a lethal duo supported by Anthony Gordon.
Described as “phenomenal” by analyst Ben Mattinson, the 22-year-old is on the rise again and has continued his league form into other competitions to take his overall tally to 17 for the season so far at Frankfurt.
