'I know' - Hugo Ekitike teammate reveals how £86m striker feels after Newcastle United bid
Newcastle United are trying to sign Hugo Ekitike for a third time.
Hugo Ekitike is feeling relaxed about his future as Newcastle United work on a deal to sign the French forward.
That’s according to his Eintracht Frankfurt teammate Timothy Chandler. In the last 48 hours or so, Newcastle have stepped up their interest.
The Magpies are looking to sign a striker capable of rotating and playing alongside Alexander Isak following Callum Wilson’s departure. United tried to sign Joao Pedro earlier this summer but have returned for Ekitike after the Brazilian opted to join Chelsea.
Newcastle twice agreed a fee with Stade de Reims for Ekitike in 2022 only for the player to turn down a move both times. He got his wish by joining Paris Saint-Germain but the move did not go to plan.
Ekitike played just one season in Paris before falling out with manager Luis Enrique. That saw the 23-year-old move to Frankfurt in January 2024 on an initial loan deal, which turned permanent after the Bundesliga club activated his £15million buy option.
And in just 18 months, Ekitike’s price tag has soared to the point where Newcastle face smashing their club-record transfer fee, which currently stands at the £63million paid to sign Alexander Isak three years ago.
Last season, Ekitike re-established himself as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards with 22 goals and provided 15 assists. Liverpool and Manchester United have shown interest but Newcastle are the team currently on the attack.
Newcastle United in talks with Eintracht Frankfurt to sign Hugo Ekitike
Meetings between Newcastle and Frankfurt officials have recently taken place and they are expected to continue in Austria, where Eddie Howe’s squad are currently based for a pre-season training camp.
The Bundesliga side reportedly value Ekitike at £86million but Newcastle are hoping to reach a compromise after submitting an opening bid in excess of £60m.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano wrote on X: “Newcastle submitted an official bid today to Eintracht Frankfurt for Hugo Ekitike! Proposal higher than €70m previously offered by another club this summer with Newcastle pushing to get the deal done. Negotiations underway.”
How Hugo Ekitike feels about transfer speculation
As negotiations continue, it remains business as usual for Ekitike, who is currently in pre-season training with Frankfurt. The German club play their opening friendly against city rivals FSV Frankfurt on Saturday before next week travelling to the United States to face Aston Villa.
While Ekitike hasn’t yet addressed the speculation surrounding his future, teammate Timothy Chandler has. And the 35-year-old insists Ekitike isn’t at all distracted.
Chandler told Bild: "He's going full throttle. You really have to say that. And he says: If something happens, then something happens – if not, then not. He's a very, very good boy. And I also know that even if he ends up staying here, he'll give it his all."