Liam Duckstein
Newcastle United have officially entered the chase for Hugo Ekitike, with the Premier League’s summer transfer window heating up by the day. The 23-year-old French forward, currently with Eintracht Frankfurt, is drawing attention from a host of top-flight clubs — Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool among them.
This bold move from Newcastle arrives just as Manchester United’s pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo continues to stall. Despite Mbeumo’s strong preference for a switch to Old Trafford, negotiations have dragged on, giving rivals an opening to act. The Red Devils have already missed out on targets like Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres, leaving their attacking plans in limbo.
Enter Ekitike — a player United first targeted back in March. The former PSG talent made waves last season with standout performances for Frankfurt and a clinical five-goal haul for France’s U21s. His sharp instincts and athletic profile make him one of Europe’s most watched rising forwards.
However, Ekitike won’t come cheap. Frankfurt have reportedly slapped an £85 million valuation on him. That price tag might deter some, but Newcastle appear undeterred, especially after investing £55 million to land Anthony Elanga. It’s a clear sign of intent from Eddie Howe’s camp.
The Magpies view Ekitike as the ideal complement to their evolving frontline — one that needs additional firepower for both Premier League competition and potential European ambitions. As the Mbeumo saga continues to frustrate United, Newcastle’s interest in Ekitike reflects the larger trend: top clubs are no longer waiting for market dominoes — they’re making the first moves.
With elite English clubs circling and Frankfurt holding firm, the coming weeks could be decisive. For bettors and transfer watchers, this saga represents the perfect cocktail of timing, ambition, and valuation — a storyline worth tracking with odds likely to shift as talks progress.