The £86m blockbuster Newcastle United signing who could ensure Champions League status is here to stay

Heading into this summer transfer window, Newcastle United’s primary objective was to hold onto key assets and ensure that their squad is not any weaker as they approach their second Champions League campaign under Eddie Howe.

What was not necessarily predicted by many was that the Magpies would go the complete other way and seek to spend big to take their squad to the next level, though it should not be too surprising.

Newcastle are of course owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and while PSR constraints have ensured they have not spent overboard over the past few transfer windows, there still remains a huge wad of cash ready to be spent on marquee new signings.

The signing of Anthony Elanga has already been secured for a reported £55m fee and the Magpies may not be done there. Sensational reports have emerged in recent days that Newcastle may yet make one of the signings of the summer.

Newcastle linked with stunning move for Hugo Ekitike

The striker merry-go-round has been one of the major stories of the summer window so far, with several big clubs in need of a new centre-forward but very few top-level strikers to go around. Eintracht Frankfurt front-man Hugo Ekitike is viewed as one of those and has been linked with Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United amongst others. But as none of his reported suitors step forward with a bid, another club has entered the fray in Newcastle according to The Telegraph.

This may seem confusing, given that the Toon already boast arguably the most in-demand striker in world football in Alexander Isak. But, in fact, it could actually make total sense. All it takes is to think back to the first season when Newcastle qualified for the Champions League under Howe in 2022/23.

The Magpies often started with two up top that year, with a prime Callum Wilson in their ranks alongside new boy Isak. At times they would start together, other weeks they would rotate, on occasion Isak would start out on the left. The competition arguably brought out the best in both of them. Wilson’s qualities would begin to wane in the two following seasons, but he has now been released at 33 and so a space in the Magpies striker department is up for grabs.

Ekitike move could give Newcastle the edge over rivals

While many of their Champions League rivals scrap to obtain one top-class striker, the signing of 23-year-old Ekitike could mean Newcastle have two in their ranks. He could thrive in the North East, too, under less pressure than he would be at United or Arsenal and with the opportunity to learn from a genuinely world-class striker in Isak.

The Frenchman’s price tag must not be underestimated, as €100m (£86m) is a mammoth fee for a striker not proven at Premier League level, especially for a club teetering on the edge of a PSR breach like Newcastle. But there is no denying that signing Ekitike while keeping hold of Isak could ensure that Champions League football remains at St James’ Park for years to come.

Not only would the Magpies strengthen themselves and have two strikers capable of hitting double figures in the Premier League once again, they would also be weakening their rivals who were hoping to secure Ekitike. This would be the type of move everyone expected Newcastle to make after their takeover and it could turn the Carabao Cup winners into serial trophy contenders. This could be a game-changer, and the Premier League should be scared.