Report: Newcastle and West Ham eyeing African forward impressing in La Liga

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French outlet Le 10 Sport have claimed both Newcastle United and West Ham United are interested in signing Villarreal attacker Karl Toko Ekambi this month – after Lyon had a bid rejected for the Cameroon forward.

Ekambi, 27, has been in stunning form for Villarreal since joining the Spanish side in the summer of 2018. In his first season, he had a hand in 25 goals during just 43 appearances – scoring 18 and creating seven.

This season, he has been in top form again – netting six goals and laying on three assists in 19 games. It has inevitably seen clubs become interested in the former Sochaux and Angers ace. Lyon have had an £11.9m-plus-bonuses offer rejected.

It is believed that Villarreal want a fee of £21.2million for Ekambi – and both Newcastle and West Ham are said to be keen. The Toon are more interested than the Hammers to get a deal done, with the report claiming they are ‘very hot’ on Ekambi.

TBR’s view – Newcastle or West Ham for Ekambi?

Given that Ekambi can play out wide or up front, he is going to get more than plenty of game time if he went to either Newcastle or West Ham. He is more likely to play his normal striker position at Newcastle, though, over West Ham.

That is because Joelinton is struggling after his £40million move – scoring only once – while Andy Carroll is yet to mark his return with a goal. Dwight Gayle is expected to leave, as is Yoshinori Muto.

West Ham boast Sebastian Haller as the main man, and Ekambi is likely to play second string to the Frenchman. Albian Ajeti and Michail Antonio are also options. A move to Newcastle would see him start up front – his preferred position.