Newcastle United is grappling with an injury crisis, particularly affecting the center forward position, as key players Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak have been sidelined. This absence was notably felt in recent matches against Bournemouth and Borussia Dortmund, resulting in 2-0 losses. Anthony Gordon filled in as a makeshift center forward in these games. While Isak is nearing match fitness, Wilson is expected to be out for around six weeks due to a hamstring problem.
This injury situation has sparked speculation about potential reinforcements in the striker role, especially given the upcoming busy December schedule and the Magpies’ involvement in various competitions.
One player whose name has resurfaced in transfer rumors is PSG outcast Hugo Ekitike. The French forward caught the attention of Newcastle’s manager Eddie Howe in January 2022 after an impressive breakout season with Reims, where he scored 10 goals in 24 appearances. Despite initial interest, Ekitike rejected a move to Newcastle that winter due to the club’s precarious position in the league table. Six months later, a £26 million fee was agreed between Newcastle and Reims for his transfer, but the deal fell through due to agent demands.
Instead, Ekitike opted for a move to PSG, where he served as an understudy to Kylian Mbappe but had limited playing time, scoring three goals in 25 appearances last season. The young forward has not featured in the first team this season and has attracted interest from other Premier League clubs like West Ham, Nottingham Forest, and Everton, although no move materialized.
Despite the setbacks, Football Insider reports that Newcastle is hopeful of securing Ekitike on a loan deal in the January transfer window. However, West Ham is expected to present a rival bid. The 21-year-old turned down an opportunity to join Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt earlier, and his exclusion from Luis Enrique’s Champions League squad has led to him being largely frozen out at PSG.
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