‘They will go for’: Fabrizio Romano drops exciting Newcastle striker transfer claim

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Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Newcastle “will go” for a striker similar to Hugo Ekitike before the transfer window shuts.

The Magpies rekindled their interest in the 20-year-old this summer after pursuing him in the January transfer window.

And things seemed to be going well at first.

Newcastle and Reims reportedly agreed a deal worth €30million plus €5million in add-ons.

After this, only personal terms were left to sort out ahead of striking a deal for Ekitike.

However, Newcastle couldn’t agree terms with his agent, forcing Dan Ashworth to pull the plug on negotiations.

Ekitike has since gone on to join Paris Saint-Germain on an initial loan deal.

Newcastle are now reportedly pursuing Brentford’s Ivan Toney, Chelsea’s Armando Broja, and Atalanta’s Duvan Zapata.

Romano, writing on GiveMeSport, spoke about Newcastle’s failed pursuit of Ekitike and how they plan to go forward.

The transfer insider said: “They (Newcastle) wanted Ekitike.

“But then he joined PSG because of the problems with the commission on the agent side.

“That is why it collapsed with Newcastle.

“But they will go for that kind of striker – a talented boy who could be ready for Premier League football.”

Dwight Gayle has just joined Stoke, so in terms of strikers, Newcastle only have Callum Wilson and Chris Wood on their books.

The Magpies only scored 44 Premier League goals last season, so Eddie Howe certainly needs to bring in some more firepower.