Journalist Pete O’Rourke has highlighted that Newcastle United are the favourites to sign Hugo Ekitike in the summer from Stade Reims.
Newcastle United attempted to sign Hugo Ekitike in the January transfer window, but they were unsuccessful in their approach, as the French forward wanted to assess his options in the summer, with higher-profile clubs showing interest.
With the interest continuing for Ekitike ahead of the transfer window, Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot has recently said that he will be allowed to leave in the summer if the deal is right.
After Caillot has confirmed that Ekitike will be allowed to leave in the summer, Pete O’Rourke highlighted to GiveMeSport that Premier League side Newcastle remain the favourites to sign him.
“The Reims president has come out and confirmed that Ekitike is likely to leave this summer and several clubs in the Premier League are interested in the Frenchman.
“Newcastle were very close to signing him in the January transfer window and they still remain very keen on the teenager, so you would probably say that Newcastle are favourites for him right now,” O’Rourke said.
TIF Thoughts on Pete O’Rourke’s comments…
Hugo Ekitike has been superb for Stade Reims this season, but unfortunately, he has been injured and out of action since February. In Ligue one for his side this season, he is the club’s top scorer with nine goals in 21 games, and just 14 of those have been starts.
It is clear to see why the French forward has been linked with a move away from Reims, as at just 19-years-old, he is already producing brilliant goal scoring numbers, that equal out to a goal every 128 minutes in the league.
Newcastle United are expected to have a busy summer in terms of transfers, after the Saudi takeover, and Ekitike may well be brought into the club to be the main striker, for the present and certainly the future.