Newcastle United have reportedly reached an agreement with Stade de Reims for Hugo Ekitike over a summer swoop, but personal terms have yet to be agreed.
According to a report from Italian outlet Calciomercato, Newcastle United could be set to make their second signing of the summer window with a deal almost in place for Reims’ striking sensation Hugo Ekitike.
The rebuilding job has already begun on Tyneside ahead of what promises to be an exciting summer for the Newcastle faithful. The arrival of sporting director Dan Ashworth has seen them ramp up activity in the market, with Matt Targett becoming their first summer signing following up from a successful loan spell last season. Meanwhile, Isaac Hayden was offloaded to Norwich as Newcastle look to clear the decks for new signings.
And now they are back in the hunt to complete a deal for Reims striker, Hugo Ekitike. This comes after reports suggesting that the move has hit a second roadblock after the Frenchman picked up a hamstring injury while representing the France Under-21 side last Thursday.
Ekitike is understood to be Newcastle’s top priority target this summer and the Magpies have already reached a verbal agreement with the French club and the striker weeks ago, but there were some complications over the method of payment. Concerns have also been raised about the players’ representatives, who appear to be holding on to see if any other clubs become involved in the transfer battle.
Newcastle wants to pay the transfer fee over multiple instalments in order to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations while investing this summer. Per Calciomercato, it appears the Magpies have now reached a full agreement with Reims, but there is work still to be done in regards to personal terms that need to be sorted out with the 19-year-old teenage sensation.
Regarded as one of the most talented young attackers in French football, the 19-year-old has only two years of experience in senior football. He made his professional debut for Reims in October 2020, but he spent the rest of the season on loan at Danish Superliga outfit Vejle Boldklub, where he scored four goals and two assists to help them avoid relegation.
After that, he was handed a shot in the first-team last season at Reims, and the loan stint appeared to have done wonders. He scored ten goals and provided three assists from 23 outings in his breakthrough campaign in the French top-flight.
Taking into account his exceptional numbers in metrics like front-foot pressing, progressive carries, dribbles and chance conversion rate, it is easy to understand why Newcastle are eager to add Ekitike to their ranks. While the 19-year-old is far from a finished article just yet, Toon boss Eddie Howe will be tasked with nurturing one of the most promising prospects in French football should Newcastle do get the deal over the line.
