Hugo Ekitike

[Jammy89]

Well apprently PSG wanted him as well before Mbappe signed his new contract and he's being compared to a young Henry.

[Alberts__Lob]

From Mark Douglas on Twitter

"Newcastle making a breakthrough on striker hunt nice and early. Hugo Ekitike signing looking "more than likely" now, according to someone with knowledge of the deal. They want at least one more striker... #nufc"

Can that one more striker be Darwin Nunez please?!

[Zippity]

The fact that we're going for exciting young talent who the big European clubs are keeping tabs on is...well, a bit of a mindfuck, to be honest.

We're not used to excitement and anticipation-it makes a nice change from waiting in vain until, on dealine day, we hear Keith Downie saying 'the word from the club is that there'll be no business done today' followed by the inevitable excuse from the club 'we couldn't get him over the line'.

Now we can say 'what a time to be an NUFC fan...without any sarcasm!

[Alberts__Lob]

I wonder if Ekitike has seen Bruno move to the Prem and take like a duck to water?

Also wonder if Sven Botman will see other Ligue 1 players come to us and fancy it himself

Exciting times and the window isn't even open yet!

[sherwoodmag]

Now, the forward has broken his silence on his decision to remain with Reims rather than make the move to Newcastle.

“I have a lot of respect for that big club,” he told L’Equipe. “But it was all happening very quickly; the timing wasn’t right.

“It was better to stay here, to play a full season, to establish myself.”

That is from January

[Alberts__Lob]

That is from January

He is referring to January but made those comments a couple of weeks ago to L'equipe

Guardian now also reporting that the deal is close:

https://www.theguardian.com/football...ike-from-reims

[Alberts__Lob]

The Daily Express are reporting that Ekitike "has no plan to join Magpies" which contradicts most other sources:

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/foot...-transfer-news

The Express also said we're going to sack Eddie and appoint Mourinho a couple of weeks ago so they've probably got something against us

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/foot...nager-news-SNT

[ex_pat_magpie]

£36million for a te-enager speaks volumes.

[Alberts__Lob]

From Fabrizio Romano (ex SkySports Italia journalist who is quite trustworthy apparently):

"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."

[Jammy89]

Was a later tweet, that he retweeted (rather than him actually saying) that we've agreed an 80K a week deal with him.