Newcastle's potential edge in the pursuit of Hugo Ekitike could impact Alexander Isak's future prospects in the club.
In the world of football, the transfer saga surrounding Hugo Ekitike continues to unfold, with Newcastle United and Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal showing the most interest in the French forward.
Ekitike, who was a key player in Eintracht Frankfurt's surge to third place in the Bundesliga last season, has caught the attention of several top clubs. Among them, Newcastle United and Al Hilal are reportedly the most eager.
Newcastle United, who are understood to intend to keep Alexander Isak on Tyneside, have not shied away from their interest in Ekitike. The Magpies are said to be prepared for a big-money pursuit, despite the fact that Ekitike's transfer fee is reportedly higher than Isak's value, making it an enormous gamble for the club.
Meanwhile, Al Hilal, the 2023-24 Pro League winners, are reportedly preparing an offer and have contacted Ekitike's entourage. The Saudi Arabian club finished in 2nd place in the 2022/23 Saudi Pro League season, while Al Qadsiah, another interested club, impressively finished 4th after being newly promoted.
Ekitike, who was initially brought in from Paris Saint-Germain on loan in January 2024, scored an impressive 22 goals in 48 matches in all competitions during his breakthrough season. His contributions also helped Eintracht Frankfurt reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Despite the interest from several clubs, Ekitike has expressed a preference to stay in Europe for the time being. This could potentially be a boost for Newcastle United, as the boost from Champions League money in the 2025-26 season could unlock an increase in transfer spending for the club.
Ekitike was signed permanently by Eintracht Frankfurt last summer for a reported fee of €16.5 million. However, with Bayer Leverkusen and runaway winners Bayern Munich finishing ahead of Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, it seems that the time may be right for Ekitike to seek new challenges.
Newcastle United, under the ownership of the Saudi-led consortium, have shown their ambition in the transfer market in recent times. With the potential boost from Champions League money, they could be in a position to make a competitive offer for Ekitike.
However, Al Hilal's persistence and financial muscle could make for a tough battle for Newcastle United. Only time will tell where Ekitike's future lies.
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