6 hours ago
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In talks with two clubs
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Newcastle United have made an initial offer to sign Hugo Ekitiké from Eintracht Frankfurt. Transfermarkt understands that the Premier League club are interested in signing the French forward. Transfermarkt also understands that an offer by Newcastle of €80m was turned down by the Bundesliga club on July 15. Sources with direct knowledge of the talks described the offer as insufficient. Newcastle have since been joined by Liverpool in the race to sign Ekitiké. The Anfield club is expected to make a substantial offer.
What would be a significant offer? Frankfurt, who have sold Randal Kolo Muani for €95 million to Paris Saint-Germain and Omar Marmoush for €75m to Man City over the last 24 months, will ask for a significant fee to allow Ekitiké to leave this summer. Frankfurt's asking price is understood to be around €100m. The Eagles are experienced negotiators and in the past have always gotten their way on the transfer market. Sources have pointed out that the 23-year-old striker is currently under contract until 2029, and there is no exit clause in his deal. Furthermore, with two Premier League clubs interested, Frankfurt can significantly drive up the price.
The Bundesliga club signed Ekitiké on loan from PSG in February 2024 for €3.5m and then made the deal permanent for an additional €16.5m the following summer. Transfermarkt understands that PSG will receive 20% of the profit Frankfurt will make from the deal. Since his arrival, Ekitiké has increased his market from €15m to €75m. But Frankfurt want significantly above his market value to consider a transfer.
€75m+ - Why are Newcastle desperate to sign Hugo Ekitiké?
Interest in Ekitiké has been high. Ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, Chelsea showed interest in Ekitiké. At one point, Arsenal, before they pivoted to first Benjamin Sesko and then eventually Viktor Gyökeres, were interested. Newcastle are now the latest club to come in for the Frankfurt forward.
Why are Newcastle interested in Ekitiké? That’s an excellent question. Ekitiké is a very similar profile to Swedish forward Alexander Isak. With Newcastle in for Ekitiké, what does that mean for Isak’s future with the Magpies? Technically, the two could play together as Isak likes to drift out wide. But interest in Isak has been high as well. Liverpool have shown interest in signing the Swede and are understood to go for both Ekitiké and Isak to replace the void left by the tragic death of star forward Diogo Jota. Additionally, Liverpool also want to sell Darwin Nunez this summer. In other words, Newcastle are currently trying to fight off interest in Isak but are now also in a race to sign Ekitiké.
As for Ekitiké, Newcastle would get a player who last season finally fulfilled the high expectations placed in him when PSG signed him for €28.5m from Stade Reims in 2023. In 2024/25, Ekitiké scored 15 goals and eight assists in 33 Bundesliga games. In a season in which Frankfurt lost top scorer Marmoush to Man City, Ekitiké was crucial to help Frankfurt finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League. As previously highlighted on Transfermarkt, Ekitiké is a complete forward who can play as a no.9 but also on the wing. Enormously talented and fast, there is also a sense that he can reach another level. Whether that will be in Frankfurt or perhaps in Newcastle remains to be seen.
