Newcastle United make €75m bid for player who previously rejected them: report

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has UEFA Champions League football to factor in next season (Image credit: Getty Images)

Newcastle United have submitted a huge opening offer of €75m for a new centre forward.

The Magpies have already recruited former Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga this summer, with the talented 23-year-old arriving for £52m. But with UEFA Champions League football to factor in, Eddie Howe wants further new faces at St. James' Park.

A new centre-back has also been touted, but for now, it seems Newcastle want to bolster their options in attack, especially with Callum Wilson having left the club just last month.

Newcastle send MAMMOTH €75m bid to Bundesliga club

Alexander Isak has been continuously linked with a move to Arsenal — Alexander Isak looks set to remain at Newcastle United this summer (Image credit: Getty Images)

With fellow forward Alexander Isak linked with moves to Liverpool and Arsenal, it seems the Swede's hefty price tag has put off the Premier League's top-two sides, for now.

Valued in the region of £150m, Isak smashed in 27 goals in all competitions last season, and he could soon have a brand-new strike partner for next season if things continue to develop for the Magpies.

Eddie Howe could be relying on a favour or two from Alexander Isak this summer — Eddie Howe wants to bring in another centre forward to play alongside Alexander Isak (Image credit: Getty Images)

As per The Athletic, Newcastle have sent a €75m bid to Bundesliga giants Eintracht Frankfurt for striker Hugo Ekitike. Talks are ongoing and are described as being at an early stage, with the Magpies' current transfer record being the €71.2m they paid Real Sociedad for Isak back in 2022.

Ekitike has previously snubbed Newcastle's advances back in January 2022, but a £20m transfer fell through on deadline day. The French forward then moved to PSG but failed to make an impact at Parc des Princes, making only 33 appearances and scoring four goals.

A move to Frankfurt then came last summer and Ekitike has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 months. Scoring 22 goals and registering 12 goals for Dino Toppmoller's side, the Bundesliga outfit finished 3rd in 2024/25 and will now play UEFA Champions League football next season.

Ekitike is under contract until 2029, but a switch to the Premier League is thought to appeal to the 23-year-old forward. Newcastle have previously stated that Isak is not for sale, and the two could partner each other in Howe's new-look attack.

Hugo Ekitike registered an impressive 34 goal contributions for Frankfurt last season (Image credit: Getty Images)

In FourFourTwo's view, we can't help but feel Ekitike's move is in preparation for Isak's eventual exit from St. James' Park further down the line. Liverpool's long-standing interest has been reported, and things can change quickly in football.

We wouldn't be surprised to see Arne Slot's side go all out to sign Isak in 12 months' time, especially given they would by then hope to have Ekitike fully firing and settled into his new surroundings in the north-east.

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Matthew Holt writes freelance for FourFourTwo, amongst others, and boasts previous experience at GOAL and SPORTBible. He now works with us alongside his time at Manchester United and Reach PLC, aiding with online content for the website. Career highs include working at the FA Cup final, as well as scoring at Old Trafford in front of the Stretford End. A long-term sufferer of his beloved Scunthorpe United, he is often seen on the padel court, as well as occasionally as a six-a-side call-up.

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