Newcastle United are “closing in on” Reims striker Hugo Ekitike after they were informed that Arsenal would not let Eddie Nketiah leave, according to reports.
The £25m rated striker has also been linked with a move to Newcastle’s Premier League rivals West Ham.
The 19-year-old came through the ranks at Reims and he has been a key player for them this season. He has been involved in ten goals from his 18 appearances in Ligue 1.
F365’s January transfer deadline day – and it’s LIVE!
The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards has revealed via Twitter that Newcastle are now “closing in on” Ekitike.
Newcastle have also been linked with Arsenal striker Nketiah. He is out of contract in the summer and he does not intend to sign a new deal.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Arsenal “turned down” approaches from the Magpies for Nketiah on Sunday. He adds that the player is expected to remain with the Gunners until the summer.
Arsenal have no intention to find a solution for Eddie Nketiah on #DeadlineDay. Newcastle approaches have been turned down also yesterday. #AFC
He’s expected to stay until the end of the season and then he could leave as free agent.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2022
Elsewhere, Dimitar Berbatov has claimed that Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli will not be interested in a move to the likes of Newcastle or Everton:
“I’m not surprised to see Dele Alli linked with a move away from Tottenham, it’s been a downhill for him in recent seasons.
“It started with Jose Mourinho and now it’s continued with Antonio Conte. So there must be reasons if two of the best coaches in the world are not playing you.
“If he wants to be part of the national team then he needs to play. Sometimes it’s difficult to change the environment when you spend so many years in one club.
“But that is the risk you need to take sometimes and get out of your comfort zone and find some other places to go and show what you can do, otherwise you sit there and do nothing.
“I have seen that Brighton, Burnley, Everton and Newcastle have been linked with him. At 25, with all due respect, I’m not sure he’s going to join any of those clubs.
“I think he values himself highly based on what he has done with Spurs. I think he would like to go to a team that is challenging for trophies. He’s waiting for a big offer from a big club.”
The post Newcastle ‘close in on’ striker after Arsenal ‘turn down’ Nketiah approaches appeared first on Football365.