Newcastle United are on the verge of closing a deal for the club’s first big-money addition of the summer transfer window.
The player primed to make the move to St. James’ Park over the coming months? Hugo Ekitike.
Magpies fans will of course recognise Ekitike’s name, after the 19-year-old was hotly tipped to make the move to Tyneside throughout the January transfer window.
In the end, evidently, the gifted attacker opted to stay put at Stade de Reims, enjoying a productive close to the campaign after a lengthy spell out of action, on his way to a total of 11 goals and five assists across 27 appearances in all competitions.
And such form ensured that Newcastle’s keenness to lure Ekitike to the club in no way diminished ahead of the window swinging open once more.
Most goals scored by teenagers (Top 15 Leagues):
🇫🇷 HUGO EKITIKE (10)
🇫🇷 Elye Wahi (10)
🇨🇿 Adam Hlozek (8)
🇭🇷 Luka Sucic (8)
🇮🇹 Wilfried Gnonto (8)
🇩🇪 Florian Wirtz (7)
🇮🇹 Sebastiano Esposito (6)
🇪🇸 Yeremy Pino (6)Some of the best young talent in Europe right now! 🌟#NUFC pic.twitter.com/gyXxXWJXLU
— D4F | Football Scouting & Stats (@database4foot) June 2, 2022
In turn, it has not come as a massive surprise to hear that, on Saturday, those in a position of power at St. James’ have secured a definitive agreement to add the French youth international to Eddie Howe’s ranks ahead of next season.
As per a report from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle and Reims have closed a deal worth a fee in the region of €30 million, plus a further €5 million in bonuses.
Negotiations, in turn, have been initiated between the Magpies and Ekitike’s representative, ahead of an official announcement regarding the transfer’s completion over the weeks to come.
Hugo Ekitike deal. Newcastle and Reims have full agreement on €30m fee plus €5m add-ons, agent is now in talks with Newcastle after being given permission by Reims. ⭐️🇫🇷 #NUFC
Work in progress as Newcastle have been leading the race for weeks.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 4, 2022
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