Report: Newcastle approach £8.5m talent who could be as exciting as Ekitike

Follow us on Google Discover

Newcastle United have reportedly made an offer to sign FC Sochaux talent Alan Virginius, with the Magpies eager to land the teenager after missing out on Huge Ekitike.

According to Le10Sport, Eddie Howe’s side have launched a €10m (£8.5m) offer for the 19-year-old attacker, who for the past two seasons has caught headlines in League 2 after establishing himself as a regular starter for Sochaux in the French second-tier.

As per the report, Bayer Leverkusen are also interested in Virginius, with the Bundesliga looking to repeat their success with Moussa Diaby after plucking the winger from PSG’s academy to developing the French attacker to one of Europe’s most exciting attackers.

However, Newcastle could stand to win the race to sign Virginius due to their previous success this summer in beating AC Milan to Sven Botman, with the PIF regime flexing their financial muscles this year to land some impressive new additions for the Premier League side.

Bruno Guimaraes was another standout capture for Newcastle in the January transfer window, and after missing out on Ekitike with PSG set to sign the teenage attacker, Virginius could be the next import from France to make a name for themselves in the northeast.

Tipped to become a superstar for France if he hits his potential as per Total Football Analysis, Virginius could well surpass Ekitike if the left-sided winger develops well with Newcastle, with Howe’s side looking eager to sign the 19-year-old forward this summer in what could be a coup of a deal for the Magpies.

Newcastle must work quick to sign Virginius after Ekitike collapse

Losing out on Ekitike was a big blow for Newcastle given how impressive the France youth international would have been for the Toon, which is why the Premier League side can’t afford to make the same mistake with Virginius given how highly-rated the French forward is.

With analysis tipping the winger for greatness, Virginius could arrive at Newcastle for a cheaper fee than what Ekitike could have joined the Magpies for, and given how raw potential, the forward has a good chance at becoming a superstar if he works hard and develops well in the northeast.