Newcastle deal for player ‘fell through at the last moment’ – Club were already looking at replacement

One of the noisier transfer deadline deals that didn’t happen was that of Hugo Ekitike, whom Newcastle United were keen on signing.

There have been a lot of post-mortem articles since the end of the transfer window regarding the Magpies’ failed attempts, each bringing their bit of information to the table.

Foot Mercato were no different on Wednesday evening, explaining that an agreement had been reached between Newcastle and Stade de Reims for the player for €40m.

In fact, the Ligue 1 club ‘had already resigned themselves and the board had already taken information on another forward to replace him’.

However, the deal ‘fell through at the last moment’, and the player’s entourage ‘no longer wanted to go there’, wanting to finish the season with the French side instead.

If true, it just shows how advanced everything was before the plug was finally pulled at the last minute, which will be an even more bitter pill to swallow for Newcastle, who clearly thought they were on the verge of getting their man.