‘His priority’ – Fabrizio Romano delivers shocking Newcastle United transfer update for £85 million star

Newcastle United failed to sign Hugo Ekitike twice in 2022, earlier in the Saudi-backed era.

Newcastle United are allegedly looking with a new approach for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.

If true, Toon chiefs will be hoping for a third time lucky after failing to land the Frenchman twice before. Newcastle notoriously struggled to sign Ekitike early in the Saudi-backed era in 2022.

With the Magpies in the relegation zone, Ekitike – then 19 – was having a breakout season at Reims. He declined a deadline-day move despite Newcastle agreeing to a £25 million fee.

Newcastle United burned for the second time.

Newcastle returned in the summer and thought to have completed the deal until a last-minute rejection to join Paris Saint-Germain. Toon supporters properly suspected that his agent, Karl Mwalako Buchmann, was fueling the tale, and they might be forgiven for being skeptical of any new developments.

Ekitike, as expected, struggled at PSG, trailing Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe in the pecking order. He has re-established himself as one of Europe’s top prospects in Frankfurt.

Fabrizio Romano on Hugo Ekitike.

Liverpool is interested after he scored an incredible 22 goals in all competitions last season. Fabrizio Romano, an Italian sports journalist, now reports Newcastle as a likely destination.

“Hugo Ekitike continues to pique the interest of Premier League clubs, with Newcastle keen on the striker,” he posted on social media. “More Premier League clubs remain briefed about the situation, following Liverpool and Chelsea’s calls in June. Al-Hilal and Al-Qadsiah have contacted in recent weeks, but his priority is Europe.

Hugo Ekitike regrets the PSG move.

Ekitike spoke out about his botched PSG move earlier this year. He told L’Equipe, “I was arriving at Messi and Neymar’s last year.” Go get them out? You cannot. They have to play; they are the world’s top players.

“You’re behind, and you’re attempting to save time. Football does not allow for lying, whether it’s for two minutes, 15 minutes, or two matches on the bench, followed by 60 minutes. Only consistency can transform you into a reliable player.

“I will never claim that I did everything well. I could have done better, and they (PSG) did not help me do so. They did not give me confidence. Even throughout training and talks, they never took the time to talk to me so that they could help me. I found myself in a circumstance where I needed to get by.

“Even during a match, I had to consider how I moved so as not to impede any player and allow the squad to function. Combined with a lack of confidence and a distinct football style, That was a lot of knowledge, so it didn’t work, but I learnt a lot.”

First image as Anthony Elanga arrives at Newcastle United to secure £55 million signing

Anthony Elanga is getting a physical ahead of his £55 million move from Nottingham Forest.

Anthony Elanga has landed in Newcastle to complete his £55 million transfer from Nottingham Forest to Newcastle United.

The Swede arrived at Newcastle Airport from Portugal this afternoon after the two teams reached an agreement on a contract to make the winger the club’s first summer acquisition.

Newcastle will pay Forest up to £55 million, including add-ons, to secure the services of the former Manchester United player. Elanga is said to have already reached personal terms with the club.

The forward arrived at Newcastle’s Benton training base earlier this evening, having rushed from the airport where he had landed on a private plane. Sky Sports captured footage of the footballer in a casual brown top and shorts outfit.

Newcastle do not expect any problems with the medical. Elanga has had an excellent run of fitness over the last two years, appearing in every Premier League game as Forest qualified for Europe.

Elanga is known as one of the Premier League’s fittest and fastest players, clocking 10.93 seconds in a 100-meter run in Portugal before moving to Tyneside.

The player has now been sent to a facility in the Northeast, where he will undergo a variety of medical testing.

He is set to be formally unveiled as a Newcastle player within the next 48 hours and will join the squad on their pre-season training camp in Austria.

Elanga is already close friends with Newcastle forward William Osula, with the two seen vacationing together last week. He considers international teammate Alexander Isak and fellow Swede Emil Krafth to be close friends.

Elanga will compete with Jacob Murphy for a starting position on the right flank, but he can also play centrally and on the left.

He joins Sandro Tonali as Newcastle’s joint most expensive signing in history, costing £55 million. Isak is the club’s record signing, costing £63 million.