Market value up to €28m
Premier League side Newcastle United are set to beat Borussia Dortmund in the race to sign highly touted French striker Hugo Ekitike. FootMercato journalist Santi Aouana was first to report the news on June 1, reporting that Newcastle have agreed to a fee of €36 million, plus an additional €10 million. The deal constitutes a new record transfer for Stade Reims by some distance (overview).
Transfermarkt understands that Borussia Dortmund were also trying to sign the striker but have already shifted focus to Ajax forward Sébastien Haller and Stuttgart’s Sasa Kalajdzic. Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has described Ekitike as an exciting and gutsy transfer target. Transfermarkt understands that within the Dortmund camp, there were several people pushing for Ekitike to become the Erling Haaland replacement.
But there were also voices of opposition. Some within Dortmund believe that both Haller and Kalajdzic would be a more sure bet. Although talks with Ajax have been difficult, Haller, in particular, was recently the favorite. Kalajdzic’s camp, in turn, has had talks with Bayern, but a decision on his future is yet outstanding.
#BVB have lost out on Stade Reims’ Hugo Ekitike. That means focus will now shift to #Ajax striker Sébastien Haller. Sasa Kalajdzic is another option, Dortmund have been in touch with the #VfB striker, who has also held talks with #Bayern. @Transfermarkt
— Manuel Veth (@ManuelVeth) June 1, 2022
Ekitike to Newcastle United – Market value increase to €28m despite injuries
Once completed, Newcastle, in the meantime, have secured a fantastic talent. Ekitike has been sensational at times for Stade Reims last season. The 19-year-old center-forward has scored 11 goals and five assists in 27 games across all competitions for the Ligue 1 side. Ekitike is a strong and powerful forward and has been favorably compared to Haaland.
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The only downside on Ekitike were early injury concerns. Despite injuries, his rise in market value has been incredible. Ekitike was valued at just €600,000 in June 2021, and that market value has now increased to €28 million in the latest market value update.
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“A thigh issue slowed him down for three months, but he was able to show his full talent towards the end of the season,” Transfermarkt Area Manager France Ronan Caroff said. “The rumor mill has been churning, and fees have been mentioned that have been unheard of in Reims. The latest update just confirms the expectations the footballing world has placed on him without exaggerating too much. After all, it is his first full season in a top league.”
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