Journalist says Newcastle were ‘80% certain’ about signing ace, but ‘they had to walk away’

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Speaking on the Talking Transfers Podcast, Graeme Bailey has been discussing Newcastle’s interest in Hugo Ekitike.

The French striker has long been on the Magpies’ radar. The Magpies were keen way back in January, but a deal never came to fruition after Ekitike’s parents advised him against a move to St James’ Park.

However, the Tyneside club came back in for Ekitike this summer, but, despite reportedly agreeing a deal, Newcastle have now had to back away from the move.

What’s been said?

Bailey spoke about Newcastle backing away from Ekitike and how confident they were about signing him.

“Newcastle thought they had this, even until last week, just A few days ago they were 80% certain he was coming. The deal with Reims is done, the deal with the player was done, but as with a lot of these deals it’s the extras, its’s the add-ons, it’s the agent fee, especially in this case,” Bailey said.

“This is one of the deals that we could be saying next week that Newcastle have come back in or that the player has had second thoughts, the player had a very good deal here, he’d be more than trebling his money at Newcastle.

“Other teams are in for him we can confirm that PSG are in for him, but Reims are standing firm on their asking price which is around £26m, rising to £30m, whether PSG get to that point we’re not so sure, so this one may not be fully dead for Newcastle if PSG don’t meet Reims asking price. As it stands though, Newcastle have backed away, they loved him but they had to walk away.”

Won’t be held to ransom

This just goes to show how Newcastle are going to operate in this transfer window.

The Magpies may well be the richest club in the world, but they’re not going to be taken for mugs, not by other clubs, not by players and certainly not by agents.

Ekitike is a talented player, but there are plenty more fish in the sea for United to go out and get.

It remains to be seen where Ekitike ends up this summer, but it seems like a move to Newcastle is off the table.