Newcastle United are plotting one other move for Hugo Ekitike, hoping to sign the striker to play alongside Alexander Isak slightly than replacing him.
Ekitike has attracted interest from Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United this summer along with his 22 goals last season helping Eintracht Frankfurt qualify for the Champions League.
An enormous €100million (£86m) release clause poses a significant stumbling block for any side seeking to prise him away from the Bundesliga.
In response to the Every day Telegraph, Newcastle have made contact with the Frenchman’s representatives, informing them of their desire to sign the striker even when it means paying that clause in full.
It is going to be Newcastle’s third try and sign the France Under-21 international having initially been rejected in favour of Paris Saint-Germain in 2022.
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The Magpies have already strengthened their attack this summer, confirming the arrival of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest in a £55m deal on Friday.
The Sweden international will compete with Jacob Murphy for a job on the correct with Anthony Gordon and Harvey Elliot options on the left.
Having missed out on Joao Pedro who rejected them to affix Chelsea, Newcastle want one other striker to finish a stacked forward line ahead of their return to the Champions League.
Their pursuit of Ekitike is subsequently not considered an attempt to seek out a substitute for Isak, but to supply cover and competition for the Swede.
The report adds Newcastle still don’t have any interest selling last season’s top scorer.
Arsenal are long-term admirers of Isak but have moved on this summer, in talks to sign his countryman Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.
Liverpool meanwhile have also been linked with a move. Previous reports have indicated it will take a bid near the world record £200m fee Paris Saint-Germain paid Barcelona for Neymar in 2017.
Elanga meanwhile played an important role in Forest’s campaign last season along with his focus now on Newcastle’s mission to secure more silverware.
‘I’m able to placed on this black-and-white top to essentially fight for this team and provides every thing for the passionate fanbase that lives and breathes football,’ Elanga said.
‘I had a tremendous two years at Nottingham Forest, they really helped me to develop into the player I’m today, but I’m really pleased to be here now.
‘The club won a trophy last season and are constructing something unique, something special that I really need to be a part of.’
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