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Newcastle United have reignited their pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitiké, aiming to sign him as a partner to Alexander Isak rather than a replacement.
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Newcastle United have made a fresh approach for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitiké. After two failed attempts to convince the Frenchman, the club is now making a third push. According to The Telegraph, Newcastle see Ekitiké not as a replacement for Alexander Isak but as a complementary piece who can play alongside him.
The Telegraph reports that Newcastle first contacted Ekitiké in January 2022. Although they reached an agreement with Stade Reims, the player rejected a move to the Premier League. A second bid followed in the summer of that same year, but Ekitiké opted to join PSG instead. Now, after rebuilding his form at Frankfurt, the club is back in the race once again.
Struggling for minutes at Paris Saint-Germain, Ekitiké joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan in January 2024. After an impressive run of performances, the German club activated a €16.5 million buy option. After Omar Marmoush’s move to Manchester City, Ekitiké became the focal point of Frankfurt’s attack. He ended the season with 22 goals and 11 assists in all competitions, including 15 goals in the Bundesliga.
According to Yahoo Sports, Eintracht Frankfurt have set an asking price between €90 million and €100 million for Ekitiké, driven by his form and growing demand. The hefty valuation has drawn interest from Europe’s elite—but leaves little room for negotiation.
Frankfurt CEO Axel Hellmann told Sky Germany that he hopes to keep the player but acknowledged the realities of the transfer market with the following remarks:
“I would love for him to stay here for ten years. But we all need to be realistic. Hugo is one of the biggest talents in Europe. He’s only 23 and has a brilliant future. And as we all know: the market is the market.”
Hellmann also said, “Players like Hugo open doors to other markets. He’s a very suitable profile for some clubs in Southern Europe,” indirectly hinting at the Spanish market. Although BILD linked the comment to Real Madrid, neither the club nor the player has confirmed any connection.
With Callum Wilson departing on a free transfer, 21-year-old Will Osula remains Newcastle’s only natural centre-forward. The club is searching for a top-level attacker who can support or partner Isak. According to The Telegraph, Ekitiké fits this profile perfectly.
The Telegraph further reports that Newcastle are planning this move in a way that does not threaten Isak’s position. In fact, they have even opened talks over a record-breaking contract extension for the Swedish striker. Eddie Howe hopes to diversify his frontline by pairing Isak and Ekitiké.
Hugo Ekitiké is a versatile and productive forward well-suited to modern attacking football. Primarily a striker, he is also effective on the left wing or as a second forward. Despite standing at 1.90m, he is agile, well-balanced, and quick with the ball.
While he prefers his right foot for finishing, he can also strike effectively with his left. He has a strong instinct for being in the right place at the right time inside the box. He can score with both feet and his head, making him a well-rounded finisher.
One of his most improved areas at Frankfurt is link-up play. He can hold the ball up with his back to goal and involve teammates, making him not just a goalscorer but also a contributor to build-up play.
However, there are still areas for improvement. To thrive in the physically demanding Premier League, he needs to improve his stamina. He’s also expected to contribute more consistently to defensive organisation, particularly in pressing and tracking back.
Overall, Ekitiké is a forward with significant potential, known for his scoring output and tactical intelligence.
Florian Plettenberg reports that Manchester United and Liverpool are closely monitoring Ekitiké, while Chelsea admire the player but have stepped back after signing João Pedro and Liam Delap this summer.
Sky Sports adds that Liverpool have placed Ekitiké on their attacking shortlist. Yahoo Sports confirms interest from both Arsenal and Liverpool but states that no formal bids have been made public so far.
Hugo Ekitiké’s next move remains undecided. Eintracht Frankfurt want to see a strong return on their investment and are not backing down from their €100 million valuation. That firm stance is largely what’s slowing down negotiations.
On the other hand, Newcastle’s interest is both clear and concrete. The club is not just monitoring the player, but actively building a transfer plan that features him as a key piece alongside Isak. While Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United also keep tabs on him, only Newcastle have demonstrated such a direct and determined approach thus far.
All indications suggest that the Ekitiké saga will dominate headlines until the final days of the summer transfer window, making it one of the most intriguing developments in the European market.
