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Hugo Ekitike’s agent is set to hold talks with Arsenal, Aston Villa and Newcastle United, as the striker closes in on a move away from Reims this summer…
THE LOWDOWN: NEAR NEWCASTLE MOVE
The Magpies had a deal in place to sign the teenage forward in January but the Reims hitman decided against leaving the club in the middle of the season and their £33m-bid fell through.
The young French sensation is expected to move on from the club this summer but the competition for his signature is expected to be fiercer as more clubs are in the fray to sign him.
Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund have been keeping tabs on him and there is serious Premier League interest from other clubs outside Newcastle.
It has been claimed that his agent is now set to hold talks with three of his suitors over the coming days.
THE LATEST: HOLD TALKS
Taking to Twitter, Italian-based Turkish Journalist Ekrem Konur has stated that the striker’s agents will hold talks with Arsenal, Newcastle and Aston Villa.
THE VERDICT: NEXT MBAPPE
With clubs like Dortmund – who will be playing in the Champions League next season and have lost Erling Haaland to Manchester City – showing interest in Ekitike, the Gunners will need to wrap up this deal quickly if they are to secure his signature.
Considering how much potential the 19-year-old quite clearly possesses, and Mikel Arteta’s desire for a long-term striker this summer, the argument that the teenager could be the perfect dream for the Emirates Stadium faithful is a rather easy route to take.
Indeed, over his 24 Ligue 1 appearances this season, the £18m-rated forward has been in sensational form for Reims, bagging ten goals, registering three assists and creating three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.3 shots and making 0.7 key passes per game.
Those impressive returns have seen the striker who Graeme Bailey recently dubbed an “outstanding talent” – as well as strongly claiming that “many in France believe he could be the next Mbappe” – average an incredibly impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.89, ranking him as Oscar Garcia’s ninth-best player in the French top-flight.
With 11 goals and four assists in 26 games across all competitions this term (Transfermarkt), Ekitike has burst onto the scene in his home country, and he would no doubt be an exciting signing if Arsenal can land him.
AND in other news, Arsenal make contact to sign “quality” £36m-rated dynamo, he won’t cost KSE a penny…
