Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and West Ham United are reportedly vying for the signature of Reims striker Hugo Ekitike.
According to a report by French outlet RMC Sport, the race to sign Hugo Ekitike is intensifying, with Tottenham Hotspur battling Newcastle United and West Ham United for Hugo Ekitike. The 19-year-old striker is valued at €30 million by Stade de Reims.
Hugo Ekitike is starting to become a household name in Europe on the back of what is proving to be an excellent 2021/22 season. The teenage prodigy has mustered a tally of eight goals and four assists in 19 appearances across all competitions this season.
The numbers become even more impressive as the eight goals in 17 Ligue 1 appearances make him the highest-scoring teenager in Europe’s top five leagues. The 19-year-old’s exploits have captured the attention of several Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur.
The interest from Newcastle United stems from Callum Wilson’s calf injury, which has sidelined him for the foreseeable future. The Magpies have responded quickly to sign Chris Wood from Burnley, with the New Zealander striker likely to be available for their next Premier League game. While Wood is only a short-term fix, Ekitike could be an option for the long run.
As for West Ham, the need to sign a striker is urgent, with Michail Antonio the only recognised and reliable centre-forward at David Moyes’s disposal. The Hammers have been scouring the market for a striker since last January when Sebastien Haller joined Ajax. And Ekitike has emerged as a viable target for West Ham to that end.
The latest Premier League club to be linked with the 19-year-old is Tottenham Hotspur. Unlike Newcastle and West Ham, Spurs do not have any immediate requirement for a striker. But with Antonio Conte often favouring the use of a 3-5-2 formation, signing a striker to share the load with Harry Kane would be a step in the right direction. Ekitike is thus a viable option for Tottenham.
Despite Signing the teenage prodigy will not cost a bomb despite his exploits this season, with Reims demanding a €30 million base price. In addition, the Ligue 1 outfit will also ask for €10 million in add-ons and a 25 per cent sell-on clause. Reims will also wish to have Ekitike back on loan for the second half of the season if they sell him this month. An intriguing couple of weeks beckon the 19-year-old and his suitors.
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