Newcastle United ‘consider’ £8.5m deal for French forward as Hugo Ekitike transfer stalls

Newcastle United are linked with a move for Sochaux forward Alan Virginius as a deal for Hugo Ekitike continues to stall.

The Magpies swiftly rekindled their interest in Ekitike in the early part of the summer after first attempting to sign the 20-year-old in January.

However, as the weeks have progressed, United have become increasingly frustrated with Ekitike’s camp and are exploring other targets.

The deal is not dead as such, with a transfer agreement in place with Reims, but it won’t happen unless Ekitike’s representatives lower their heavy demands.

There is a feeling Ekitike is being advised to hold out for other approaches amid tenative links to Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

While Ekitike’s representatives risk backing themselves into a corner, Newcastle remain active in the market.

And according to French publication Le10Sport, United are interested in Virginius but will face competition from Bayer Leverkusen and Club Brugge.

Still only 19, Virginius has made 50 senior appearances - scoring eight goals - for the Ligue 2 side and is a France under-19s international.

The report adds that Sochaux have received a £6m from an unknown for Virginius, who has one year remaining on his contract.

The teenager could look to depart this summer after Sochaux lost out on promotion to France’s top-flight via a play-offs defeat to Auxerre.