Newcastle Upon Tyne, England – After a prolonged chase spanning several years, Newcastle United are reportedly in advanced talks to finally secure the services of French striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in what is expected to be a club-record deal. The Magpies are pushing hard to bring the highly-rated 23-year-old back to English football, having seemingly learned from past disappointments in their pursuit.

Ekitike, who endured a challenging spell at Paris Saint-Germain after initially rejecting Newcastle in 2022, has rediscovered his form spectacularly at Eintracht Frankfurt. The forward enjoyed a prolific 2024/25 campaign, bagging an impressive 22 goals and providing 12 assists across all competitions, playing a pivotal role in Frankfurt's Champions League qualification.

Sources close to the negotiations indicate that Newcastle has submitted a substantial offer for Ekitike, believed to be in the region of €75 million (£69 million). This bid significantly surpasses a previous €70 million offer from another club, highlighting Newcastle's determination. While Frankfurt reportedly values Ekitike closer to his £86 million release clause, ongoing discussions suggest a willingness from both sides to find a compromise, possibly involving an initial payment of around £76 million with performance-related add-ons.

Newcastle's renewed interest comes as they look to strengthen their attacking options following Callum Wilson's departure. The club has already made one major summer signing with the arrival of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, and Ekitike is seen as a crucial addition to bolster their frontline for the upcoming season, which will see them compete in the Champions League.

This isn't Newcastle's first dance with Ekitike. The club famously tried to sign him twice in 2022 when he was at Reims. Despite having a £25 million bid accepted on one occasion, Ekitike opted for a move to PSG, citing a preference for the French champions and Champions League football. However, his time in the French capital was largely disappointing, leading to his eventual move to Frankfurt, initially on loan before making it permanent.

Now, it appears the tables have turned. Ekitike's agent is reportedly in Newcastle to finalize personal terms, and reports suggest the player is now open to a Premier League move, having learned from his Parisian experience. The prospect of playing alongside Alexander Isak, rather than replacing him, is also believed to be an attractive proposition for the French international.

While other top clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United have also been linked with Ekitike, Newcastle's persistent and now intensified efforts suggest they are firmly in the driving seat. Should the deal go through, it would represent a significant statement of intent from the Magpies, underscoring their ambition to compete at the highest level both domestically and in Europe. The coming days are expected to be crucial as Newcastle aims to finally land their loan target.