Newcastle United have ‘never stopped looking’ at Hugo Ekitike, but there’s only one way he can be a statement signing

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Newcastle United remain interested in Hugo Ekitike, but the only way he’d truly be a statement signing for the club depends on Alexander Isak. 

Newcastle have been linked with Ekitike, who rejected a move to St James’ Park back in 2022. 

The Frenchman has risen to prominence again with Eintracht Frankfurt after struggling for game time at Paris Saint-Germain after he left boyhood club Reims.

Ekitike scored 22 goals last season, emerging as one of the best forwards in European football. 

Eddie Howe has no hard feelings towards Ekitike and would surely love a player of his quality in the Newcastle United squad for the season to come. 

Still, there’s only one way in which the forward could truly be considered a statement signing. 

• READ MORE: David Ornstein shares what he’s hearing about Alexander Isak and Newcastle ahead of pre-season return

Newcastle United can’t sell Alexander Isak to sign Hugo Ekitike

According to The Chronicle, the club have “never stopped looking” at potentially signing the 23-year-old. 

Ekitike to Newcastle would be a statement of intent only if Isak stays at the club this summer. 

Isak is happy at Newcastle but has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool. 

There’s no suggestion PIF will cash in on the Sweden international but if they would only be signing Ekitike as a replacement for Isak, it would be hard to get too excited. 

That’s not to suggest the Frankfurt forward wouldn’t be a great addition but him acting as a replacement for Isak would be a risk. The Newcastle star just looks a level above right now, and is rightly considered one of the best forwards in the world. 

If Newcastle started the season with Ekitike instead of Isak, it would be hard to argue that they’d be in a stronger position.

Still, if the former PSG star arrives to cover and compete with Isak for a starting berth, then it would really be saying something. Few other teams would be able to boast two such strong strikers not yet into their prime years.

However, Frankfurt want huge money for Ekitike and paying that for what would be a back-up would feel excessive.  

Hugo Ekitike compared to Alexander Isak

Ekitike is certainly an exciting talent, but just looks a level below Isak right now. 

The Newcastle star scored more goals in what is generally considered to be a harder league, although the Frankfurt forward beat him for assists. 

Ekitike’s numbers on a per game basis are impressive and higher than Isak in a number but the aforementioned quality of the two leagues does have to be taken into account.

Signing Ekitike would be brilliant for Newcastle. If they get him and Isak stays too, it would surely send shockwaves to their rivals ahead of the new season.