Newcastle were ‘very close to finding financial agreement’ over player’s transfer – Club chief admitted as much

Signing a number of players during the January transfer window, Newcastle United didn’t, however, manage to bring in Hugo Ekitike.

They came close, but whatever they put on the table wasn’t enough to fully convince either Stade de Reims or the young striker, who is only going through his first season as a professional in the Ligue 1 side’s first-team.

L’Union, the local newspaper, have an article on the matter on Tuesday, and make it clear that Newcastle ‘very close to finding a financial agreement’ with Reims to sign the goalscorer, but it was all in vain.

It’s pointed out that the Magpies ‘pulled out all the stops’ to improve their team in January, including the move for the 19-year-old, yet Reims stood firm, confirming as much via their president, Jean-Pierre Caillot.

He admitted Newcastle’s offer was ‘close to their wishes’, but eventually decided it ‘still remained insufficient’, with the player eventually deciding to ‘continue the adventure’ with his current club.

Ekitike has been a revelation in Ligue 1 this season, scoring eight goals in 18 appearances in the league, as well as picking up three assists, which is exactly why the Magpies came sniffing.