Speaking on the Transfer Window Podcast, Duncan Castles has shared what he knows about Newcastle United’s deadline day move for Hugo Ekitike.
The French striker was a top target for the Magpies last month. They bid for him early on and they went back in for him on deadline day.
Unfortunately though, the Tyneside club couldn’t convince Ekitike to sign for them, and Castles is led to believe that the player’s parents actually advised him against that move.
What’s Castles said about Ekitike?
The journalist shared what he knows about this situation.
“They tried on deadline day to get Hugo Ekitikie from Reims, a player they had bid for earlier in the window. The president of the French club had essentially said after that bid what his asking price would be. They left it until the left day and that bid was accepted, only for the player to say ‘no I don’t think this is the right time for me to come for English football.’ He’s playing his first full season in France and I’m told Ekitike’s parents advised him that it wasn’t the right step for his career,” Castles said.
Good advice
Of course, it’s frustrating for Newcastle to fail to land their target. After all, he’s been described as ‘very special’ in the past, but Ekitike’s parents have advised him well here.
At the age of just 19, the striker needs to play in an environment where he can grow and develop without pressure, and if he joined Newcastle for massive money, he’d be thrown right in at the deep end.
St James’ Park can be one of the most intimidating stadiums in Europe, while a relegation battle can bring an untold amount of stress.
From the player’s point of view, we can understand why Ekitike’s parents told him to stay in France for now.
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