Newcastle United's pursuit of French forward Hugo Ekitike has hit a roadblock after Eintracht Frankfurt rejected a club-record £70 million bid for the striker. The Magpies, who have long admired the 23-year-old, saw their formal offer turned down earlier this week, as reported by Sky Germany.
Frankfurt reportedly values Ekitike at £85 million and believes other clubs are willing to meet their asking price. Newcastle, however, remains keen on securing the Frenchman to partner with Alexander Isak in their attack. The club has already held talks with Ekitike's representatives in Austria, signaling their determination to bring him to St. James' Park.
This is not the first time Newcastle has attempted to sign Ekitike. In 2022, the Magpies were outmaneuvered by Paris Saint-Germain, who secured his services. Frankfurt later acquired him from PSG for just £14 million last summer. Since then, Ekitike has flourished in the Bundesliga, scoring 22 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions during the 2024/25 season, helping Frankfurt secure a Champions League spot.
Newcastle's interest in Ekitike comes amid a busy summer transfer window. The club has already spent £55 million on Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, and their budget is reportedly tight. Sky Sports News' Keith Downie suggests that Newcastle may only be willing to go as high as £75 million for Ekitike, leaving a significant gap in valuation.
Ekitike's rise to prominence has been remarkable. As a teenager at Stade Reims, he was challenged to emulate the likes of Kylian Mbappe, and his ambition and talent have since propelled him into the spotlight. His Bundesliga breakthrough has made him a target for several top clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool.
Despite the setback, Newcastle's pursuit of Ekitike underscores their ambitions to compete at the highest level. Whether they can bridge the financial gap and secure his signature remains to
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