Borussia Dortmund have reportedly set their sights on Stade de Reims star and Newcastle United target Hugo Ekitike as a replacement for Erling Haaland.
According to Bild, the Bundesliga giants have shortlisted the youngster as a potential candidate to come in should Dortmund sell their Norwegian superstar this summer, a transfer that seems incredibly likely to happen.
As reported by Sky Sports News, any club that signs Haaland would likely have to pay an outrageous transfer package that could top at £250m in total, and for Dortmund, Ekitike is a player who could replace the striker, with Newcastle also signing the teenager in January.
Again reported by Sky Sports News, Newcastle had a deadline day bid of £33m accepted by Reims for the teenager attacker, however, Ekitike decided to stay with the Ligue 1 club for the remainder of the season.
With nine goals and three assists in the league this season, Ekitike has been one of the standout teenagers in Europe this season, which makes it no real surprise that Dortmund of all clubs are keeping tabs on the youngster as a replacement for Haaland.
The German club have a strong reputation for signing talented youngsters and developing them into bona fide superstars, and for Newcastle, Dortmund’s interest in Ekitike should be a big concern.
Ekitike could be tempted by Dortmund despite Newcastle project
Newcastle’s PIF project is one of the most exciting in world football, yet despite all the money in the world, Ekitike could be tempted to join Dortmund given their incredible record of turning young players into world-class talents.
Indeed, Dortmund have a good track record of taking players from France and transforming them into superstars, and for Ekitike, this could be much more alluring than heading to the Premier League with Newcastle.
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