Newcastle United remain in talks with Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims over a potential January transfer for striker Hugo Ekitike to follow Chris Wood to Tyneside, according to Sky Sports.
The Magpies have strengthened Eddie Howe’s attacking arsenal with the Burnley forward in the wake of Callum Wilson’s calf injury. Newcastle are likely to be without the striker for eight-weeks, so triggered a £25m release clause in Wood’s Clarets contract.
Howe is determined to keep improving the St James’ Park ranks in the winter sales, though. So, Newcastle remain in talks with Reims over a transfer for Ekitike given his strong season.
Ekitike has scored eight goals and offered three assists in 17 Ligue 1 appearances so far this term. The 19-year-old has also only started 10 of his outings, while playing occasionally on the wings under manager Oscar Garcia.
His haul is all the more impressive, having only featured twice in Les Rouges et Blancs’ first-team before this season. Ekitike also made both of his 2020/21 outings in October 2020.
Newcastle close to sealing Ekitike transfer from Reims
Newcastle and Reims are not too far apart in their valuations of Ekitike as Howe continues his transfer pursuit. The Toon have offered an upfront £22.5m for the teen, with a further £2.5m in add-ons. The Magpies also have a five-year contract ready for him to sign.
Both Reims and Newcastle are willing to find an agreement that will close the gap stopping Ekitike’s transfer right now. Additionally, United will not need to send the forward back to the Stade Auguste-Delaune on loan this season as otherwise reported.
Howe will immediately integrate the attacker into his first-team fold if the Tyneside natives seal a deal. He would join Wilson, Wood, Joelinton and Dwight Gayle in the Toon ranks. But he will only have to realistically rival Wilson and Wood, given Joelinton and Gayle’s usage.
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