According to The Telegraph, Newcastle United have agreed a fee with Reims to sign Hugo Ekitike this summer.
The French striker has long been linked with a move to Newcastle, and now, a fee worth an initial £12m – potentially rising to £26m, has been agreed.
However, as always, there is a problem for Newcastle United.
Indeed, while Reims are happy to sell the ‘special’ striker to Newcastle, the player himself seems to have some reservations about a potential move.
Ekitike reportedly isn’t returning the Magpies’ calls at the moment, while Newcastle have been informed that the striker is still being offered to other clubs within Europe – which in itself presents its own problem.
With PSG and Borussia Dortmund reportedly admirers, Newcastle, even as the richest club on the planet, may struggle to win this transfer race as Le Parisiens and BVB would be able to offer Ekitike the chance to play in the Champions League, something Newcastle can’t even begin to dream of right now.
United are now looking at other striker options.
This has been one of the most frustrating transfer chases in recent memory. From Ekitike’s parents telling him to reject a move in January, to potential FFP problems to being flat-out ghosted by the striker’s representatives.
Whether or not a move comes to fruition still remains to be seen, but it may not be long before Newcastle decide that this transfer just isn’t worth the fuss.
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