Eddie Howe pushing Newcastle to complete Hugo Ekitike deal before Watford clash

Newcastle are progressing in their attempts to sign French forward Hugo Ekitike, after holding further talks on Wednesday.

Manager Eddie Howe is desperate for the move to be finalised before the club's huge Premier League clash with Watford on Saturday - both teams are currently in the relegation mix and will each be looking to take a vital three points.

90min reported earlier this week that the club had opened discussions over a January deal for 19-year-old Ekitike, who has starred in Ligue 1 this season - scoring 8 goals in 17 games for Reims - though both Brentford and Brighton have also made their interest known.

Newcastle remain in the driving seat, however. The club are looking to heavily invest in their playing squad this month to give themselves the strongest possible chance of avoiding relegation from the Premier League, and have already sealed the signing of Kieran Trippier.

Centre back is another department they are looking to bolster, with Sevilla's Diego Carlos among their primary targets. The club have already lodged offers for the Brazilian.

Newcastle are looking at signing at least two players in the forward department, too. Burnley's Chris Wood is set to soon complete a move to St. James' Park after undergoing a medical on Wednesday, while Ekitike could soon follow once negotiations are wrapped up.

The club are looking for an experienced striker, which Wood fits the bill for, to go alongside a younger talent of high potential. Ekitike has been identified as the latter.

A third forward arriving this month is not out of the question either.