Newcastle United set to beat West Ham to Hugo Ekitike signing, £30m deal in the pipeline
West Ham are on the verge of missing out on signing Reims striker Hugo Ekitike with Newcastle United closing in on a deal, according to 90min.
The football news website reports that a deal “worth around £30m to Reims is in the pipeline” for Ekitike, 19, to leave the Ligue 1 club this summer. It is understood that the deal could be a loan with an obligation to buy.
West Ham are among the clubs who’ve been keen on signing the young French centre-forward but 90min say: “Sources have confirmed to 90min that a deal with Newcastle is close.”
Back to the drawing board
April isn’t even over and it looks as though the tone of West Ham’s summer transfer window is being set already.
Ekitike is a top young talent and you can see why clubs like Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with signing him.
The France Under-19 international has scored nine goals in 21 Ligue 1 appearances for Reims this season.
He’s scored against Lyon, Marseille and Rennes in what has been a thrilling breakthrough season and that £30million price tag is looking completely justified.
West Ham’s need for a new striker is well-documented.
David Moyes has needed one for the last three transfer windows and while he’s managed to get away with it at times, you do have to wonder where the Irons would be in the Premier League right now if they had a proven source of goals spearheading their attack.
Ekitike is not only one for the future but also one for the present and the Hammers could do a lot worse than signing him this summer.
In other West Ham news, Frank McAvennie wants this Irons ace to remain at the club next season with a contract clause ready to be activated.
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