Why Man Utd and Chelsea are ready to poach top Newcastle target Ekitike

Robin Bairner

• 10 Feb 2022 06:24 CST
• 4 min read

Manchester United and Chelsea are among the Premier League clubs to have taken an interest in Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike.

The Reims striker, who is only 19 years old, has been making headlines in Ligue 1 this season thanks to his impressive contribution in front of goal.

He already has nine strikes from his name in France’s top flight, plus three assists. Having also scored in the Coupe de France, he has made double figures in his debut season.

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Newcastle were particularly eager to sign the forward in the January transfer window and even offered £30 million for his services – a fee that was knocked back by Reims.

Meanwhile, Ekitike seemed to be content with that development. It has been indicated that he is happy to continue his development in Reims and gain a full season of first-team football before he inevitably moves on.

Man Utd and Chelsea, meanwhile, have started to watch the teenager, with 90Mins reporting that scouts watched him on Sunday in a 5-0 win over Bordeaux.

Ekitike, who has been capped by France U20, scored in that encounter, albeit it was the rebound from a penalty that he has missed. With seven goals in his last 11 matches, though, there is little doubt that he is one of Ligue 1’s form players.

Indeed, he is the leading scorer in Europe's Big 5 leagues who is aged 20 or under.

Is he good enough for Man Utd or Chelsea?

Ekitike is not a player who is going to arrive at a club like Manchester United or Chelsea and expect to play immediately. Although he has been a success in Ligue 1, he is not a prodigy like Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland, but that is not to say that he would not have a role to play.

Both Premier League giants are looking at Ekitike with one eye on the future. That may mean he is loaned out for a season or two to gain experience, or it may mean he steps into their first-team plans immediately as a fringe player.

Who is Ekitike like?

Although Ekitike has been compared to Mbappe, this is born from his Cameroonian heritage more than his style of play. He is taller and is a more natural centre forward, capable of bringing others around him into play and stronger in the air.

Indeed, there is more of a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hint to Ekitike’s game than Mbappe, while he could also be compared to the likes of Everton attacker Richarlison.

Meanwhile, if Ekitike does leave Reims, it will likely be for a figure around that which Newcastle offered. It is a handsome price for a player who boasts little experience, and it may be that it is this aspect that ultimately sees Chelsea and Man Utd miss out.