Newcastle identify Tottenham transfer target as new Hugo Ekitike alternative

Newcastle United have turned to Brentford star Yoane Wissa having ended their pursuit of Hugo Ekitike.

The Magpies made an opening offer of £70million for Ekitike this week, one rejected by the Bundesliga side who are demanding his release clause of £86m be met in full.

Newcastle regarded Ekitike as a player who will come in to play alongside Alexander Isak, not replace him.

The plot thickened this week as it emerged Liverpool have approached Newcastle to sound out a possible move for Isak this summer.

Newcastle’s stance has long been Isak is not for sale, however with Liverpool also making contact over a move for Ekitike as an alternative option.

Liverpool are believed to have struck a deal with the 23-year-old striker, despite a rival offer from Manchester United in the last 24 hours which was turned away.

Newcastle will shift focus to other targets with The Athletic reporting they are now exploring a move to sign Wissa.

His contract in west London is set to expire next summer although the Bees do have the option to extend that by a further 12 months.

Tottenham are also interested in signing the 28-year-old who starred under former Bees boss Thomas Frank in west London.

Spurs have signed Mohammed Kudus with Mathys Tel’s loan move made permanent. There have also been talks to sign Morgan Gibbs-White as part of a revamp of Frank’s attacking options in north London.

Wissa has also attracted interest from Nottingham Forest who saw an opening offer turned away last week.

Forest also saw a bid worth £25m rejected in January.

The DR Congo international enjoyed his most prolific campaign in England to date last season, scoring 19 times and laying on four assists.

Newcastle’s interest in Wissa emerges as Manchester United return with a third offer to sign his Brentford teammate Bryan Mbuemo.

United have already seen two offers turned away with their latest worth an initial £65m with £5m in add-ons.