Newcastle United ‘eye’ £8m bargain defender amid fresh Hugo Ekitike transfer boost

Newcastle United will still be picking up the pieces following their disappointing defeat to Tottenham over the weekend.

The Magpies were knocked for five by Spurs, but fortunately, they have a quick return to action, facing Wolves on Friday night.

The home clash with the Midlands club offers Newcastle another chance to get closer to the 40-point mark, and they will be desperate to get back to winning ways after consecutive defeats.

But as we count down the days to the Wolves clash, we have taken a look at all the latest transfer news and rumours:

Defender bargain deal on the cards?

The Magpies are said to be eyeing a deal for Mainz centre-back Moussa Niakhate.

Newcastle have struggled to land a centre-back with Sven Botman now looking set to head to AC Milan.

But Niakhate has been linked by The Telegraph, and it’s reported the deal could be completed for just £8million, with the centre-back having just a year left on his contract from this summer.

Ekitike latest

Newcastle are being backed to pull off a deal to sign Reims forward Hugo Ekitike this summer.

The 19-year-old is one of the Magpies’ ‘top targets’, according to Football Insider, and it’s added that they are in the driving seat to complete a deal this summer.

It’s believed Ekitike will cost at least £20million this summer, with Newcastle already said to have bid that amount in January, only for the striker to stay where he was assured of first-team football.