Over the past 18 hours or so, the idea that Newcastle United could try and sign Hugo Ékitiké from Stade de Reims has grown considerably.
However, they aren’t the only club after the player, with claims on Tuesday morning that West Ham had also made a move for the young striker, and now Leicester are taking a shine to him.
That’s according to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna in France, who claims that the Foxes are ‘interested’ and have ‘validated the profile’ of the 19-year-old.
Despite this, they haven’t gone any further, with it stated Leicester ‘haven’t started concrete steps’ to sign Ékitiké.
🚨Info : De sources proches du board de #Newcastle, la première "offre informelle" des Magpies pour Hugo Ekitiké 🇫🇷 est bien loin des 36M€ annoncés.
• Discussions en cours. • Intérêt de #Leicester qui a validé le profil, mais qui n'a pas encore entamé de démarches concrètes. pic.twitter.com/6wzPYTeqcC
— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) January 11, 2022
Bursting onto the scene this year with Stade de Reims, the twice capped France U20 international has scored eight goals and assisted another three in 17 Ligue 1 appearances this season.
That’s pretty much the extent of his professional work in France to date, meaning he remains somewhat inexperienced despite all the promise shown.
With Brendan Rodgers looking towards the future, it isn’t surprising to see Leicester lurking, but despite interest from elsewhere, he might not be an option for the present, but more one to develop first.
