Exclusive - Brentford and Brighton have lodged rival bids for young Reims striker Hugo Ekitike, but Newcastle remain favourites to land him, 90min understands.
It was revealed on Monday that the Magpies were in advanced talks over a deal worth just shy of £30m for the 19-year-old Frenchman, who is the highest scoring teenager in Europe's top five leagues so far this season with eight goals in 17 Ligue 1 games.
However, 90min has been told that Newcastle's Premier League rivals Brentford and Brighton - who have two of the best scouting set-ups in English football - have entered the fray with rival bids.
Both clubs have made offers in excess of £20m for Ekitike - well below the Tynesiders' bid but including substantial add-ons.
Although that fresh competition has complicated things somewhat as Reims consider their options, 90min understands Newcastle remain in advanced talks for the striker and the club believe they are close to finalising an agreement to take the teenager to St. James' Park, with the player himself keen on the move.
West Ham are another Premier League side to have been linked with the young centre-forward as they look for back-up for Michail Antonio, but it is believed the Hammers are not in the running having only made an enquiry over what would have been an initial loan.
Source : 90min