Report: Newcastle are the most likely to sign ‘very special’ striker this summer, they wanted him in January

Add as preferred source on Google

According to Daily Mercato, Newcastle United are now the favourites to sign Hugo Ekitike of Stade Reims. The Magpies attempted to sign him on deadline day but the forward decided not to join. The club had organised a plane for him to board to the UK, but he turned it down (The Guardian).

However, this summer they’re now the frontrunners to land Ekitike. The president of Stade Reims believes Newcastle will be “the kind of environment where he could continue to grow and move on”, per the same Daily Mercato report.

Newcastle, the favourites to sign Ekitike, would have to pay a fee that is more than £17million for his services. This means the Toon could be paying less than £25million they bid in January (The Express).

Ekitike has had an impressive campaign in Ligue 1; he could improve Newcastle’s depth up front

The Magpies are in great need of more depth to lead the line. Callum Wilson has returned from injury and bagged a brace on the last day of the season.

But Chris Wood has struggled for goals on a consistent basis and Dwight Gayle has hardly featured under Eddie Howe. So the fact they’re looking for another striker will undoubtedly strengthen the squad.

The 19-year-old could be the Toon’s first summer signing under PIF. A number of Newcastle transfer targets have already been reported, but there could be a lot of truth behind this.

As previously mentioned they were interested in him last January. So with the club taking a liking to the forward and the cash at their disposal, it’s no wonder Newcastle are favourites to sign Ekitike.

Another name who has appeared as a Newcastle transfer target is Darwin Nunez who they’ve scouted extensively. But a number of clubs are sniffing around him so it could be difficult to sign him. In addition, Ekitike’s price would be much less than Nunez’s.

Should Newcastle meet the demands and pay Ekitike’s price, he could learn a lot from his future teammates. Wilson would be a great striker to help show him the ropes. The 30-year-old has shown he’s a Premier League level striker and could help develop the teenager’s game.