A Newcastle United legend was fully prepared to help bring Hugo Ekitike to Tyneside in 2022, and it looks like Eddie Howe will need his help once again.
Despite the links only reemerging a few days ago, the Hugo Ekitike transfer saga has already taken many twists and turns.
Newcastle United spoke to Ekitike’s agent last week, stating their intent to bring him to Tyneside this summer. On Monday evening, it was reported that Eddie Howe’s recruitment team had been in talks with Ekitike’s camp and Eintracht Frankfurt over a deal.
The belief is that Ekitike has already agreed personal terms with Newcastle, so it is just a case of putting a good enough offer in for the 23-year-old.
However, word on Tuesday is that Frankfurt have rejected Newcastle’s latest approach for Ekitike, believed to be around £68million. The Magpies will likely place another bid for the Frenchman, but they risk the deal collapsing like it did three years ago.
In January 2022, the deal broke down because Ekitike needed convincing about the move. A Newcastle legend offered his help to get the deal to go through at the time, and it is clear that he could be needed again.
David Ginola offered to help convince Hugo Ekitike to join Newcastle United in 2022
David Ginola was a big part of Kevin Keegan’s entertainers, the side that came agonisingly close to winning the Premier League in the 1995/96 season. Ginola witnessed Keegan’s famous ‘I would love it’ rant, an iconic interview quoted by many since.
The Frenchman spent three memorable years with the Magpies before moving to Tottenham and winning the Premier League’s Player of the Year award.
Now recognised as a legend on Tyneside, Ginola was more than happy to help get a young Ekitike to Tyneside in January 2022 before the deal broke down.
Fans urged him and Allan Saint-Maximin to help get Ekitike to Tyneside on deadline day when he was seemingly digging his heels in over a move. Upon seeing the struggles, Ginola said: “I am here and ready to help!!”
Unfortunately, time ran out and the deal was scrapped. Newcastle tried to sign him again that summer, but he rejected a move for Paris Saint-Germain.
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Despite being known for having a large French contingent in the 2010s, Newcastle do not currently have any players from across the Channel in their squad.
Saint-Maximin was the last French star to play for Newcastle, but Ekitike could become the next popular Frenchman to don the black and white stripes.
Newcastle may need an unlikely hero to get the deal done, and Ginola could be the one to help get the deal through this time around.
There will likely be a lot less convincing needed to bring him to Tyneside this time around. Newcastle must act fast, however, as Liverpool could approach the 23-year-old after being told Alexander Isak is not for sale.
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