Newcastle have boosted West Ham hopes of signing a striker Tim Steidten met with as report makes a big new Hugo Ekitike claim.
The January transfer window opens four weeks today fans of both West Ham and Newcastle United insist their club needs to be active.
Newcastle have endured injury and off-field issues to key players and are having to juggle Champions League football with the drive to qualify for the competition again this season.
West Ham boss David Moyes failed to sign a striker to replace Gianluca Scamacca in the summer. And that is the club’s top priority next month.
Proof, if it were needed, that West Ham need to sign a proper bona fide striker next month has been plentiful in recent matches – particularly in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.
West Ham and Newcastle have been linked with mutual interest in a host of players since the Saudi takeover at St James’ Park.
West Ham boss Moyes claimed earlier this season he is desperately searching for a new number nine and admitted he was envious of Newcastle’s signing of ‘unbelievable’ Alexander Isak.
One player long linked with both the Hammers and the Magpies since Eddie Howe’s arrival is French forward Hugo Ekitike.
Recent rumours in France suggested West Ham have been laying the groundwork on a move for Ekitike as soon as the January window opens.
Ekitike came close to joining Newcastle from Reims two years ago as Howe looked to have beaten Moyes to the jet-heeled striker. But the move fell through and Ekitike went on to join PSG instead.
The Magpies and West Ham are said to have been monitoring Ekitike’s progress – or lack of it – ever since.
He has been completely frozen out of the PSG setup this season and is up for sale.
Back in August, it was claimed West Ham technical director Tim Steidten had a high level meeting with PSG, Ekitike and his representatives. And the striker was reportedly impressed by what the German had to say.
Now Newcastle have boosted West Ham hopes of signing the striker Steidten met with as a report makes a big new Ekitike claim.
According to an exclusive report from Football Transfers, Newcastle have now withdrawn any interest in signing Ekitike.
And that has cleared the path for West Ham if they can fend off Crystal Palace.
“Crystal Palace are considering a move for Hugo Ekitike who is also a target for West Ham,” the report states.
“Sources have informed us that the club are looking to strike a deal with Paris Saint-Germain for the 21-year-old ahead of the January transfer window, with the Hammers also keen…
“We are told that the Frenchman is almost certain to leave the Parc des Princes this winter window and would rather a move away from Ligue 1 to somewhere abroad. Newcastle have been previously linked but we understand that there is no ambition to make another attempt at this point.”
A top source inside West Ham exclusively told Hammers News last week that the club does intend to make signings in January as long as space can be freed up in the squad.
The contact also revealed some of the players being targeted will be going to AFCON between January and February.
And that could apply to Ekitike. Because Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o is reportedly trying to convince the forward to switch allegiance to the African nation ahead of the tournament.
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