Pursuit of Ekitike is a statement of intent from United

NEWCASTLE SEE LONG-TERM FRENCH TARGET AS AN IDEAL STRIKE PARTNER FOR ISAK

- By CIARAN KELLY Football writer

THERE are longstanding targets. Then there are longstanding targets like Hugo Ekitike. Could it be a case of third time lucky for Newcastle United?

This is a pursuit that certainly showcases the ambition of the club.

Ekitike was a relative unknown on these shores when Newcastle first tried to sign the Frenchman, in 2022, but the striker is now very much a household name. Hence understandable excitement within the fan-base.

After all, Ekitike was directly involved in 34 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt in all competitions last season.

For context, Ekitike only turned 23 a few weeks ago. This is a player who has all the attributes the rapid pace, the technical ability and the confidence in front of goal to potentially become one of Europe's best in the right hands. And Eintracht Frankfurt know that.

It is one of the many reasons why there remains a degree of caution with this deal.

Eintracht Frankfurt are notoriously tough negotiators, who had the foresight to insert an £86m release clause into Ekitike’s contract, while Newcastle previously got far down the track in successive windows only for the move to fall through on both occasions.

Ekitike had ‘a lot of respect’ for Newcastle, but the Frenchman felt the ‘timing was not right’ when the Magpies first came calling for the then Reims striker in January, 2022.

Newcastle returned to the table a few months later, but Ekitike opted to join PSG instead.