Newcastle: Howe will now 'go for talented striker' at St James' Park

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe will look to add a ‘talented’ striker who fits the mould of Hugo Ekitike after failing to lure him to St James’ Park, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Ekitike joined reigning Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain from Reims earlier this month, but that only came after the Magpies were frustrated in their efforts to land the 20-year-old.

Newcastle are understood to be in a race with Manchester United, West Ham United and Leeds United to sign Brentford star Ivan Toney.

The 26-year-old, who made four appearances during a previous spell with the Magpies, found the back of the net 14 times last term.

Howe’s charges are also battling it out with West Ham and Everton for Chelsea’s Armando Broja, who grabbed the attention during a season-long loan at Southampton.

However, Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has suggested it would come as a shock if the 14-cap Albania international were to depart Stamford Bridge before the September 1 deadline.

While Italian newspaper L’Eco Di Bergamo – via TEAMtalk – have revealed Newcastle are back in the hunt to sign Atalanta star Duvan Zapata, they have abandoned a move for Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak.

Romano understands Newcastle failed in their pursuit of Ekitike because of being unable to reach a compromise with the frontman’s agent.

However, the transfer guru believes Howe is still in the market for another youngster who boasts similar qualities to the Frenchman.

Romano told GIVEMESPORT: “They wanted Ekitike, but then he joined PSG because of the problems with the commission on the agent side. That is why it collapsed with Newcastle.

“But they will go for that kind of striker – a talented boy who could be ready for Premier League