Newcastle United aren’t short of strikers with Callum Wilson, Joelinton, Chris Wood and Dwight Gayle on the books, but Wilson has struggled for fitness since his move to St James’ Park, Joelinton plays in midfield under Eddie Howe, Wood has been short of goals and Gayle is surplus to requirements, so a new centre-forward is expected this summer.
Newcastle were 12th in the Premier League for goals (44) this season, so they need a prolific player through the doors. The Magpies have been linked with Stade Reims’ Hugo Ekitike, Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Brentford’s Ivan Toney, but Paddy Kenny says is Ekitike is more a hot prospect than tried and tested.
He told Football Insider: “He’s one of those who will play a bit-part, one for the future. I still think they need another striker, someone senior. I think they have to go and spend big on someone who will get them 15 or 20 goals if they want to be getting into Europe next year. He’s 19, he’s an absolute baby isn’t he? I think they will gradually ease him into the team.”
Ekitike rose through the youth ranks to Stade Reims’ first-team, scoring six goals with one assist from 13 reserve-team games and scoring 11 goals with four assists from 28 first-team outings. The 19-year-old, who has represented France at U20 level, is still raw but looks to have a bright future after a promising top-flight campaign.
Moving to the Premier League as an inexperienced player might be difficult for Ekitike, so Kenny is right to predict that the Frenchman wouldn’t immediately be a first-team regular.
In other news, Paddy Kenny explains why Sven Botman could choose AC Milan over Newcastle United
