Newcastle United believe that Hugo Ekitike is the answer to their striker problem.
Heading into the summer, it was obvious that Newcastle United needed to address their striker department. That need only intensified when it was announced that Callum Wilson had left the club.
After signing Anthony Elanga, it was reported that Newcastle’s next priority is a striker. Names like Yoane Wissa and Ollie Watkins were floated, after the Magpies had already missed out on Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.
Yet the Newcastle United owners are going even bigger. Newcastle United are trying to sign Hugo Ekitike for a club record fee, with a view to him playing alongside Alexander Isak.
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Newcastle United ‘unlikely’ to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin if Hugo Ekitike deal goes through
Signing Ekitike would be a remarkable statement of intent, with Toon fans giddy about the idea of the 23-year-old moving to St James’ Park. But one man who could lose out if Ekitike arrives on Tyneside is Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
That is according to the Athletic, who report that a Calvert-Lewin to Newcastle United transfer is ‘highly unlikely’ if a deal to bring Ekitike to the North East is finalised.
The 28-year-old is available on a free transfer, having left Everton upon the expiry of his contract. He has multiple options ahead of his next move, one of which has been Eddie Howe’s side.
Geordie Boot Boys understand that Newcastle United held talks with Calvert-Lewin’s representatives, with the forward yet to decide his next move.
Given the fact he is available on a free transfer, Calvert-Lewin made a lot of sense for the Magpies. However, the club clearly have much grander ambitions as they attempt to break their transfer record and sign Ekitike instead.
Newcastle United have bigger plans as they move for Hugo Ekitike
Replacing Wilson was always going to be challenging. It was difficult to envision the club spending serious money for a player who would effectively be Isak’s understudy.
That is why Calvert-Lewin on a free ticked so many boxes.
However, Eddie Howe has a different plan. Rather than bring in a backup, he wants to sign someone who can play alongside Isak. That is exactly what Ekitike will do, as there is no way he will become Newcastle’s most expensive signing to just sit on the bench.
It hints towards a change of system, as Howe’s team begins to evolve. That is despite having so much success utilising a 4-3-3.
Ekitike is also the type of player that will push Isak. The Sweden international will be forced to maintain his elite standards, whereas he realistically would have still started every week if Calvert-Lewin joined.
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