According to French media outlet L’Equipe, Real Madrid have joined the race for 20 year old Stade de Reims striker Hugo Ekitike.
Ekitike is one of the most in-demand forwards in European football after the 20-year-old France youth striker enjoyed a breakthrough season at Stade Reims.
French champions Paris Saint-Germain, German champions Bayern Munich and Premier League sides Manchester United and Newcastle United are all interested in signing the 20 year old striker.
Ekitike is highly rated by scouts and analysts and ranks third among strikers under the age of 21 in Europe in goal creation stats, according to AI company Olocip.
Last season, Ekitike generated a goal almost once every two games, with an average of 0.46. Only Karim Adeyemi (0.56) and Erling Haaland (0.62) had a higher percentage of goals created in the age group.
In the Ligue 1 last season, he scored 10 goals and provided four assists. This came on 1,275 minutes on the pitch, meaning Ekitike directly contributed to a goal every 91 minutes of playing time he saw
Real Madrid have approached the French youth international’s entourage, with his agent reportedly being in Madrid in the last few days to meet with the club management.
Premier League side Newcastle United have reportedly submitted an offer of €36m plus €10m in bonuses for Ekitike.
Karim Benzema is now 34 years old but is still showing no signs of slowing down but Real Madrid understand the club needs to start planning for life without Benzema.
Real Madrid will have to sell Jovic and Mariano this summer if the club must add Ekitike to the Real Madrid squad for next season.
Meanwhile, Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has backed Eden Hazard to finally show the form that convinced Real Madrid to sign him three years ago.
Martinez told radio programme El Larguero: “Eden Hazard is in the best period of his career. I was surprised by the state of mind and physical condition he was in in June.
“Real Madrid fans are going to see a totally different Hazard.
“He is obsessed with succeeding at Real Madrid. He has not thought about changing his objective.
“He wants to win the World Cup. When you have a player capable of making a difference, whatever happens, it’s going to be positive.”
