Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United are leading Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur among other clubs in the race for Hugo Ekitike, according to 90min.
90min have reported that Newcastle, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham United, Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford all are interested in signing Ekitike from Reims in the January transfer window.
The Chronicle reported over the weekend that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are interested in the striker.
90min are now claiming that Newcastle ‘are in pole position’ for the 19-year-old striker, and that the Magpies are in talks with Reims.
Reims reportedly want £30 million for the teenager, who has been compared to fellow French striker and Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe, according to The Daily Mail.
Arsenal to miss out on Hugo Ekitike to Newcastle?
Based on the report in 90min, it does look like that Newcastle could beat Arsenal to the signature of Ekitike in the January transfer window.
Newcastle have very wealthy owners now in Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), and, in our view, they could well eventually decide to pay the £30 million that Reims want for the France Under-20 international.
Ekitike has made 10 starts and seven substitute appearances in Ligue 1 so far this season.
The Reims striker has scored eight goals and provided two assists in those games.
If Arsenal want to sign Ekitike now, then they have to step up and raise their game and open talks with Reims.
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