‘Newcastle are pushing’: Romano claims Howe now targeting ‘top level’ £75k-a-week star after Ekitike snub

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Newcastle United have reportedly failed in their efforts to bring Hugo Ekitike to St James’ Park.

The Magpies apparently made a bid of £25million, rising to £33million, for the Reims striker.

And Ekitike’s club reportedly accepted Newcastle’s offer.

However, reports now claim the striker wants to stay at Reims and re-assess his options in the summer.

“The player has now had time to think about things,” said Keith Downie (31/1, 16:23).

“His feeling is that it’s too big a decision for him to make at this late stage.

“He will not be moving to Newcastle.”

The Magpies are now stepping up their efforts to sign Jesse Lingard from Manchester United.

Newcastle have been linked with the England international for most of the month.

Lingard is reportedly eager to leave the Red Devils and Ralf Rangnick has apparently given the player his blessing.

Indeed, the 29-year-old has apparently told his teammates he wants to go.

However, the Manchester United board appears reluctant to let the 29-year-old leave.

Here is Fabrizio Romano’s latest update on the Lingard to Newcastle – and West Ham – speculation:

Lingard, whose Manchester United contract expires in the summer, is eager for regular first-team football.

The £75,000-a-week ace wants play his way into Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of this year’s World Cup.

Lingard has been a peripheral figure at Old Trafford this season, with just two starts from 14 appearances.

His situation is wholly different to the second half of 2020-21, where he shone on loan at West Ham.

Lingard was superb in London, registering nine goals and five assists from 16 games.

“A stunning performance again, with two more goals,” Alan Shearer wrote of him last April after a 3-2 win over Leicester.

“Can anyone stop him?”

Back in May, Bruno Fernandes hailed his clubmate’s efforts on loan at West Ham.

“If you see Jesse, I think Jesse, at the moment, if you watch the last 10 games, has been top, top, top level,” he told United’s club website.

“For me, if you watch the last 10 games, he’s been the best player in the Premier League, scoring and assists in every game.”