Newcastle fear Chelsea could hijack Hugo Ekitike deal | OneFootball

Chelsea are interested in Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike and could steal the march on the centre-forward despite Newcastle United submitting a bid for his services.

According to talkSPORT, “Newcastle fear another Chelsea hijack in their pursuit of Ekitike.”

The Blues have already notably pipped the Magpies to signing Joao Pedro this summer.

Chelsea added Pedro and Liam Delap to their ranks, which could force Nicolas Jackson out the door.

The West Londoners want Ekitike if the Senegalese international departs Stamford Bridge.

Ekitike bagged 22 goals and 12 assists last season, including a strike against Tottenham Hotspur that prompted journalist Nizaar Kinsella to dub him ‘the real deal’.

The Club World Cup Champions also have an interesting ace up their sleeve. They have a relationship with Ekitike’s agent, Ali Barat, and Newcastle are worried.

Barat has already played a key role in several major Chelsea deals, including brokering the Moises Caicedo £115 million move from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Ironically, he also represents Jackson, whom Chelsea are now open to offloading.

This Chelsea obsession with stockpiling attackers is becoming ridiculous. Having already secured Pedro and Delap, why are they sniffing around Ekitike?

Even if Jackson leaves, a move that is already baffling given his contribution and age, the Blues still have enough attacking depth.

Delap, a promising young talent, deserves minutes, while Pedro was brought in for big money and should be a starter.

Marc Guiu has every right to ask for game time after a promising debut campaign.

They have other attackers on the chopping block, like Joao Felix and David Datro Fofana, while £17.2 million signing Deivid Washington waits for a loan move.

Instead of building stability, Chelsea continue this carousel of chaos in the transfer market. It is like they are addicted to transfers, not team building.

This is not brilliant recruitment. It is short-term impulse buying.

The revolving door at Stamford Bridge will keep spinning until Chelsea learn to stick with and develop what they have.