Newcastle open talks with Reims for Hugo Ekitike following Callum Wilson calf injury; Ekitike has scored eight goals in 17 Ligue 1 games; Newcastle keen to bring in striker before weekend and have shown interest in Dominic Solanke, Patrick Schick, Chris Wood, Divock Origi and Sardar Azmoun
Tuesday 11 January 2022 08:51, UK
Newcastle have opened talks with Reims for Hugo Ekitike in their bid to bring in a striker before Saturday's match against relegation rivals Watford.
The Premier League side have made an informal offer, but it has fallen short of Reims' £30m valuation of the in-form France U20 international, with talks continuing between the two clubs.
The Magpies are expected to make a formal offer, but could face competition for the striker with two unnamed Premier League clubs also interested.
Ekitike, who made his debut for Reims in August, has scored eight goals in 17 Ligue 1 appearances this season and registered three assists. The 19-year-old can also play on the left wing.
Newcastle have been scrambling to replace top scorer Callum Wilson, who head coach Eddie Howe said would be out with a calf injury for two months after Saturday's shock FA Cup third-round defeat to Cambridge United.
Ekitike, Dominic Solanke, Patrick Schick, Chris Wood, Divock Origi and Sardar Azmoun have all attracted recent interest from the Magpies.
Newcastle are keen to avoid playing Saturday's match at home to Watford, who sit two points above them, without a recognised striker, having scored just 19 goals in 21 matches this season.
The club have been working through a lengthy list of possible targets to try and make additions to a squad that has been affected by injury and Covid-19.
Newcastle could even sign two new strikers before the end of the January window.
They are yet to make an approach to Burnley for Wood, who has scored three goals this season.
Liverpool forward Origi has six months left on his deal and is generating a lot of interest in Italy, but prefers a move to the Premier League.
Bournemouth striker Solanke, who has 19 goals this season for the Championship club, was signed by Howe for the Cherries in 2019.
Bayer Leverkusen would want £50m for Czech striker Schick, Sky Sports News has been told, which would make a deal unlikely.
Newcastle are also attempting to add in defence following the arrival of Kieran Trippier.
They lodged a second bid worth £29.3m for Lille's Sven Botman on Friday, but the French club value him at nearer to £35m.
Wolves and Newcastle are both interested in the Monaco centre-back Benoit Badiashile.
The 20-year-old Monaco academy graduate is among a number of options in this position both clubs are looking at.
Newcastle want to sign at least one centre-back, with Botman their primary target.
Wolves wanted to sign Botman in the summer and were also interested in Marseille's Duje Caleta-Car, who is again on the market in January.
Wolves are not expected to spend a large fee on any new players this month.
Technical director Scott Sellars outlined the club's approach to January last week and said they may do business, but would not be busy.
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Who will be on the move in January?
The January transfer window opens on Saturday January 1, 2022 and closes at 11pm on Monday, January 31.
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