Newcastle Set To Make Club Record Transfer

Newcastle United are working on a deal that would smash their transfer record again, and this time, it is for a player they have admired for quite some time. The Magpies have officially submitted a massive £69.5 million bid for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, a move that tells just how serious they are about strengthening their attack ahead of the new season. Eddie Howe and the Newcastle board have made a clear statement: They’re ready to compete with the Premier League’s elite, both on the pitch and in the transfer market.

A Pursuit Two Years In the Making

To understand this move, you have to go back to 2022. Back then, Newcastle were first linked with Ekitike when he was with Stade de Reims. Howe wanted him then, too, but instead of heading to Tyneside, the Frenchman opted for a high-profile switch to Paris Saint-Germain. That forced Newcastle to shift focus, which led to landing Alexander Isak for £68 million, who’s since become one of the best strikers in the league.

Howe didn’t forget about Ekitike and now, with Frankfurt finally ready to listen, the chance to pair him up with Isak has proven too tempting to pass. The timing couldn’t be better either. With Callum Wilson having moved on and only 19-year-old Will Osula available as backup, the need for an experienced, dynamic striker has never been greater. Isak may be the star man, but he can’t do it alone, especially with Newcastle having to compete in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

Newcastle Ready To Break the Bank

Newcastle’s £69.5 million bid officially makes this their most expensive pursuit to date, surpassing the Isak deal. Frankfurt isn’t rushing to say yes. The German side has already turned down a £60.1 million offer from elsewhere and is reportedly holding firm for the full £86 million release clause in Ekitike’s contract.

Still, Newcastle is hopeful a deal can be reached for less. According to reports, they’ve been in constant talks with both Frankfurt and the player’s representatives over the past week. Club officials even flew out to Germany and then Austria, where Newcastle are currently in preseason camp to try and move negotiations along.

Discussions have continued behind closed doors, and sources suggest things are moving in the right direction. Newcastle’s offer is on the table, and now they’re waiting on Frankfurt’s response.

Ekitike’s Numbers Speak For Themselves

The 23-year-old striker enjoyed a breakout season with Frankfurt, scoring 22 goals in 48 appearances last term. He brings the kind of profile Premier League clubs want: strong, technically gifted, and quick.

It’s not just Newcastle who have taken notice. Both Manchester United and Liverpool have been monitoring Ekitike’s progress, though Newcastle’s move has certainly put them in the driver’s seat. Securing him wouldn’t just be a win on the pitch, it would also be a signal of intent to rivals across Europe.

Howe’s Summer Plans Taking Shape

Ekitike wouldn’t be Howe’s first signing of the summer either. Just last week, the club confirmed the £55 million arrival of winger Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest. That deal added pace and flair out wide. Bringing in Ekitike would now give Howe real depth and variety up front, allowing Isak to be rotated or even deployed in a more flexible attacking role.

It is all part of a larger picture. Newcastle aren’t just building a team, they’re building a squad that will compete in Europe as well.  Should the deal go through, after years of climbing their way back into the big leagues, Newcastle is now acting like a club that belongs at the top.

Final Thoughts

For now, it’s a waiting game. Frankfurt is weighing the bid, and more meetings between the clubs and Ekitike’s camp could be on the horizon. Newcastle is determined to get their man, and there is a growing sense that things are moving in the right direction.

If Ekitike does arrive, he will be joining a club on the rise, a manager who has believed in him for years, and a fanbase that is hungry for success. For Newcastle, this could be the beginning of something special. And for Ekitike, it might just be the perfect stage to take the next big step in his career.