Newcastle United's pursuit of Hugo Ekitike has his a stumbling block according to the latest reports. The Magpies have been locked in negotiations with the young French forward for number of weeks after he originally turned down a move to St. James' Park back in January.
The reports claim Eddie Howe's side are now looking at alternative options having grown tired of negotiations. Leeds duo Jack Harrison and Raphinha have been linked with a move to St. James' Park, while the Magpies are also interested in Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby.
With that in mind, ChronicleLive has used macro-football, a tool that compares player and club similarity, to see which Ekitike alternatives Newcastle could target in the summer, with some surprising results.
READ MORE: French media deliver Hugo Ekitike verdict after latest Newcastle transfer update
Habib Diallo
The 27-year-old Senegalese striker is the player most alike Ekitike according to the research. The 6ft1 Strasbourg striker has a higher then 98 per cent similarity to his young French counterpart.
Diallo has scored 20 goals in 58 appearances for the Ligue 1 with a contract that's set to expire in the summer of 2025. The forward previously scored goals for Metz in a five year spell with the club, but has not played outside of France in his domestic career.
The striker does not have as many years ahead of him as Ekitike with a seven year age gap between the two, but scored 11 goals for Strasbourg last season.
Josh King
Perhaps no surprise to see Josh King on this list. The 30-year-old worked under Howe at Bournemouth and it's clear that the Newcastle boss is looking for a player of his ilk.
The fact he bares an above 98 per cent likeness to Ekitike is a surprise. The Former Watford striker is currently at Watford after agreeing a two-year deal with the club last summer.
The Hornets do have the option for another season, but in 32 games last season the Norway striker only scored five goals. The 5ft11 forward has hardly been prolific in his career and the Magpies would be unlikely to make an approach for him this summer.
Odsonne Edouard
Another interesting comparison with more than 98 per cent likeness, is Crystal Palace forward Odsonne Edouard. The 24-year-old Crystal Palace striker shot to fame in the Scottish Premiership with Celtic, scoring 57 goals in 94 appearances.
He signed a four-year deal with Patrick Vieira's Eagles last summer, scoring six times in 28 appearances. The 6ft2 striker was seen as quite the coup for Palace and is expected to be a part of a long term project at Selhurst Park.
Edouard has plenty of pedigree having come through PSG's illustrious academy and it's unlikely the Magpies would prise hime away from London this summer.
Marcus Thuram
You might recognise the surname and put two and two together. Marcus is the son of former World Cup winger and Juventus fullback Lilian Thuram. The French winger is not as alike Ekitike as others on this list, but has a likeness of more than 94 per cent and a club similarity of around 40 per cent.
The 24-year-old is currently plying his trade with Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga and there have been links to Newcastle in the past. Thuram has scored 21 goals in over 80 appearances for the German side having joined from Guingamp back in 2019.
The French international signed a four-year deal with the club and is approaching the final year of his contract. The Monchengladbach winger boasts Champions League pedigree and scored twice against Real Madrid in the 2020/21 tournament.
Lucas Alario
Staying in Germany, Argentinian Lucas Alario has a 96 per cent likeness to Ekitike, but like others on the list, is further down his playing career. The striker has just signed for Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt earlier this summer, putting an immediate move out of the question.
However, at 29-years-old he still has a few years left in him. Alario score an impressive 42 goals in 126 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen having started out his career in his native country.
He was part of Argentina's 2021 Copa America squad, which they would go on to win, but was forced to withdraw as a result of a thigh injury.
We want to hear your thoughts, so LOG IN and leave your comment below
READ NEXT
Newcastle's latest sponsor highlights owner's long-term approach to challenging for honours
'An absolute monster' - Newcastle find £10m bargain Eddie Howe will love and what he texted pal
Eddie Howe has already got £25m bonus he wanted as Newcastle assess alternative transfer targets
Newcastle stadium plan is already under way after what Mike Ashley left behind at St James' Park
Eddie Howe's character blueprint a reminder for Newcastle after Hugo Ekitike claim
