Despite claims from England that Newcastle United were getting closer to signing Hugo Ekitike from Stade de Reims, some in France aren’t convinced.
That’s what Nabil Djellit is reporting on Monday, explaining the young striker’s move to St James’ Park is ‘far from done’.
The €40m fee that has been touted isn’t all up front, as the Magpies are ‘offering a deal of €27m with bonuses that can go beyond €40m’.
The big question, however, is ‘does the player want to go?’, with Djellit saying he ‘has doubts’ about that.
Hugo Ekitike à Newcastle, c'est loin d'être fait… Le club propose un deal à 27 M€ et des bonus pouvant aller à plus de 40 M€. Mais le joueur a-t-il envie d'y aller ? J'ai des doutes… Cet été, il aura un marché beaucoup plus excitant. #Mercato pic.twitter.com/o9WCmiVALE
— Nabil Djellit (@Nabil_djellit) January 31, 2022
One of the big reasons for this is the 19-year-old ‘will have a far more exciting market’ in the summer, where other clubs, perhaps those not fighting against relegation, will come knocking for his services.
Ekitike is currently enjoying a good full first season with Reims, scoring eight goals and picking up three assists in 19 appearances in all competitions, which is why a few ears had pricked up for a tall player who knows where the back of the net is.
