Better fit than Ekitike: Newcastle lead race to sign £44m Wissa alternative
Newcastle Shift Focus to Randal Kolo Muani After Missing Out on Ekitike
After failing to land long-term target Hugo Ekitike, Newcastle United are exploring new attacking options in the summer transfer window.
The Magpies had identified Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike as a key addition to their forward line, but Liverpool swooped in and are now poised to sign the 23-year-old in a deal potentially worth a fixed £69 million.
This setback comes shortly after Newcastle turned down a massive £120 million approach from Liverpool for Alexander Isak, underlining their intent to keep their top striker.
Newcastle Eye Brentford’s Wissa and PSG’s Kolo Muani
In response to missing out on Ekitike, Newcastle have reportedly set their sights on Brentford’s Yoane Wissa.
Sky Sports’ Keith Downie claims an initial £25 million bid was rejected, but the Tyneside club are expected to return with an improved offer of £30 million plus add-ons.
Another name in the frame is PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani, who spent last season on loan at Juventus. According to journalist Duncan Castles on the Football Transfers Podcast, Newcastle have emerged as the frontrunners for his signature.
“Newcastle United are involved in the conversation, and at the moment, they seem the most likely destination for Kolo Muani,” Castles reported.
Paris Saint-Germain are said to be asking for around €50 million (£44 million) for the 25-year-old, and while Juventus are interested in keeping him permanently, they’ve yet to meet the valuation—opening the door for Newcastle.
Kolo Muani vs. Ekitike: A Tactical Shift
Although Kolo Muani and Ekitike are both young French strikers who briefly competed for minutes at PSG, they offer distinctly different qualities—something that may have influenced Newcastle’s change in direction.
Kolo Muani is a more direct, goal-focused attacker. He thrives on pace, movement in behind defences, and clinical finishing.
He scored 14 goals from an xG of 11.2 last season, boasting an impressive 44.6% shot-on-target rate—better than Ekitike’s 39.7%.
While his minutes were more limited, Kolo Muani was an explosive presence whenever he featured.
Ekitike, by contrast, brings more technical skill and playmaking ability. He netted 22 goals from an xG of 24.6, and was heavily involved in link-up play, averaging 17.2 completed passes per 90 (compared to Muani’s 11.7).
He also outperformed in metrics such as shot-creating actions (3.49 vs. 2.31), take-ons (1.89 vs. 1.51), and touches in the final third (20.6 vs. 16.0).
While Ekitike is the more elegant, creative forward, Kolo Muani aligns more closely with Eddie Howe’s style of play—focused on pace, verticality, and quick transitions.
Newcastle often look to unleash wide men like Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy into space, creating room centrally with sharp, penetrating runs.
Kolo Muani’s skillset fits this system well, making him an ideal complement—or even competitor—to Isak.
A Smart Alternative
Duncan Castles also noted the stylistic similarities between Isak and Kolo Muani, sparking questions about how the two might be used: “It does raise questions about Isak’s role, given how similar their playing styles are.”
Although Newcastle remain firm that Isak is not for sale, bringing in Kolo Muani could either lighten his load or create healthy competition for the No. 9 role.
Crucially, the PSG man is also more affordable than Ekitike. At £44 million, he represents better value—and after a strong season in Serie A, where he was labelled “absolutely incredible” by analyst Zach Lowry, he’s proven his ability to adapt to different leagues and systems.
Missing out on Ekitike may feel like a setback, but in Kolo Muani, Newcastle may be targeting a player who not only fits their tactical blueprint better—but also strengthens their squad at a lower cost.
He may not be a like-for-like replacement, but he could be the right player to keep Newcastle’s upward trajectory intact.
