Unique – Brentford and Brighton have lodged rival bids for younger Reims striker Hugo Ekitike, however Newcastle stay favourites to land him, 90min understands.
It was revealed on Monday that the Magpies have been in superior talks over a deal value simply shy of £30m for the 19-year-old Frenchman, who’s the very best scoring teenager in Europe’s prime 5 leagues this season with eight targets in 17 Ligue 1 video games.
Nevertheless, 90min has been knowledgeable that Newcastle’s Premier League rivals Brentford and Brighton – who’ve two of the most effective scouting set-ups in English soccer – have entered the fray with rival bids.
Each golf equipment have made presents in extra of £20m for Ekitike – nicely under the Tynesiders’ bid however together with substantial add-ons.
Though that recent competitors has sophisticated the state of affairs considerably, 90min understands Newcastle stay in superior talks for the striker. The membership consider they’re near finalising an settlement to take {the teenager} to St. James’ Park, with the participant himself eager on the transfer.
Magpies head coach Eddie Howe needs the deal for Ekitike to be accomplished earlier than Saturday’s Premier League conflict with Watford.
90min reported earlier within the week that Newcastle have been focusing on the signing of two forwards in January as a result of Callum Wilson’s eight-week harm layoff, and they’re now near touchdown a participant who has caught the attention in Ligue 1 with quite a lot of standout shows.
West Ham are one other Premier League aspect to have been linked with the younger centre-forward as they search for back-up for Michail Antonio. Nevertheless, it’s believed the Hammers aren’t within the operating having solely made an enquiry over what would have been an preliminary mortgage.
