‘Great club’: Arsenal target admits he likes Newcastle as he closes in on £25m move to SJP

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Hugo Ekitike has been speaking to L’Equipe about Newcastle, amid talk of the Arsenal target closing in on a move to the Premier League.

What’s the story?

Well, the 19-year-old came close to joining the Magpies in January, although he admits the “timing” wasn’t right to join over the winter.

Speaking to L’Equipe, the teenager said: “I respect this great club (Newcastle) very much, but it was done quickly, it was not the timing. It was better to stay here, to make a full season, to confirm.”

Ekitike’s comments come after some sources revealed that Arsenal are interested in bringing the young Frenchman to the Premier League.

However, more recent developments suggest that the Reims-born wonderkid is actually closing in on a move to Newcastle, and he’s keen for the move to happen.

It is said that a £25m fee has been agreed between Stade Reims and Newcastle, with the Magpies convinced he will take the Premier League by storm.

So far this season, Ekitike has scored ten goals in 26 appearances across all competitions, while also providing five assists.

Arsenal must have a backup option as Newcastle swoop in

In our view, £25m is a very, very reasonable price for a striker tipped to become the next Kylian Mbappe.

It’s so reasonable, that we can’t believe Arsenal are seemingly letting Ekitike join Newcastle without putting up a fight.

If anyone knows the value of bringing young Frenchman to the Premier League, it should be the Gunners, who enjoyed great success with the likes of Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka.

Aside from that fact, Mikel Arteta looks set to enter pre-season with only Folarin Balogun as a recognised centre-forward option, so he needs reinforcements.

Both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah become free agents next month, and neither seem likely to sign a new contract – even though Arsenal are keen for the latter to renew his terms.

Keep an eye on this saga, as Ekitike’s £25m move to Newcastle could soon be announced, unless there’s a late development.