Newcastle United are likely to strengthen their defence, midfield and attack this summer, but Eddie Howe may prioritise a new striker given his side’s woes in the final third. 90min say Hugo Ekitike is closing in on a move after a prolific season at Stade de Reims.
The Magpies are 13th in the Premier League for goals (40) and only have one player in the squad with more than five goals scored. Callum Wilson leads Newcastle’s scoring charts (6), but he’s struggled with injuries. Dwight Gayle can’t get an opportunity and could be offloaded this summer as a result. And Chris Wood has scored only twice in 14 games, so their interest in Ekitike makes sense.
Newcastle were ambitious in the January transfer window, bringing in Matt Targett, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes and Wood, so they won’t be put off by the 19-year-old’s £30m asking price.
They also won’t be phased going into competition with Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Wolves and West Ham United for his signature, but Ekitike’s discipline and current injury might give them pause for thought.
The French U20 international has scored an impressive nine goals with two assists in 14 Ligue 1 starts this season, but he’s also picked up two separate red cards and has been injured for two months.
Ekitike might not recover before the end of the season, so he might not be in a position to pass a medical. He’s talented but very raw and not very experienced, so Newcastle might be taking a big gamble on him after just one season.
In other news, Paddy Kenny says Ivan Toney would be a ‘cracking signing’
