Newcastle United’s Pursuit of Hugo Ekitike
Newcastle United is pursuing a significant transfer, reportedly around €75 million, to secure the services of Bundesliga forward Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt. While negotiations are still in the early stages and no deal has been finalized, the discussions mark a potential breakthrough, as it would surpass the club’s previous record transfer of €71.2 million for Aleksander Isak from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2022.
Background on Ekitike
The young talent previously came close to joining Newcastle for a figure exceeding £20 million in January 2022, only for the transfer to collapse at the last moment. Since then, Newcastle has held a keen interest in the 23-year-old striker, monitoring his progress closely.
Ekitike is coming off a prolific season, having scored 22 goals and provided 12 assists for Frankfurt during the 2024-2025 campaign, after solidifying his place there with a permanent move worth €17.5 million last summer. He had initially joined the German side on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, which had signed him from Reims.
Previous Transfer Attempts
Three years ago, when he was still with Reims, Ekitike hesitated about a potential move to Newcastle despite both clubs reaching an agreement at the time. He ultimately opted for a loan to PSG, which later activated a purchase option. Ekitike’s current contract with Frankfurt extends until 2029.
Frankfurt’s Transfer History
Frankfurt has a history of negotiating high-profile exits, having seen Omar Marmoush transfer to Manchester City for around €70-75 million, and Randal Kolo Muani move to PSG for €95 million in 2023. Notably, Ekitike’s impressive tally of 15 goals last season placed him equal with Marmoush in the Bundesliga scoring race, helping Frankfurt secure a third-place finish and a coveted spot in the Champions League – only their second time qualifying through league performance.
European Competition and Interest from Other Clubs
In European competition, Frankfurt reached the semi-finals of the Europa League but were eliminated by Tottenham Hotspur, with Ekitike contributing to the matches.
Rumors also suggested interest from Manchester United in Ekitike this summer, while Chelsea showed previous interest before finalizing other deals.
Newcastle’s Transfer Activity and Future Prospects
Recently, Newcastle’s transfer activity has gained traction, moving from early setbacks to a more positive outlook, coinciding with their return to the Champions League. Although there’s a cautious optimism surrounding the talks with Frankfurt, the club must navigate potential financial constraints, especially considering they have attempted and failed to secure Ekitike’s transfer twice in 2022.
Should the deal be completed, Ekitike could bolster Newcastle’s attacking options significantly, similar to their acquisitions of Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali. However, this surge in talent also raises questions about existing forwards and how Coach Eddie Howe might manage an array of front-line players including Isak, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, and Anthony Elanga. Balancing such a talented squad presents its own challenges, but Newcastle’s current ambitions reflect their growing prowess in the transfer market and their overall future prospects.
