By Conor Laird
Published: June 9, 2022 7:54 p.m.
Last update: June 9, 2022 10:04 p.m.
Reports from European media on Thursday evening indicate that a potential key is being thrown into the works of the Newcastle United swoop for Stade de Reims star Hugo Ekitike.
The name of the French prodigy Ekitike will of course be well known to Magpies enthusiasts.
It comes with the 19-year-old coming close to a move to Tyneside in the January transfer window after being widely rumored to be on the verge of a re-sign with Eddie Howe’s side over the past couple. of weeks.
In fact, multiple sources have gone so far as to suggest a deal is as good as done, due to an agreement reached between the respective transfer sides at Newcastle and Reims.
Hugo Ekitike agreement. Newcastle and Reims have a full agreement on a fee of €30m plus additional €5m, the agent is now in talks with Newcastle after receiving clearance from Reims. ⭐️🇫🇷 #NUFC
Work in progress as Newcastle have been leading the race for weeks.
— Fabrice Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 4, 2022
A formal announcement about the move, in turn, was touted as imminent across the continent last weekend.
As mentioned above, however, if the latest word from the media on Thursday is anything to go by, then, in fact, Ekitike may not be as close to St. James’ Park as previously thought.
The latest information comes from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who points to an injury picked up by the young striker during an outing for the French U20s as having ‘delayed’ the operation.
It comes after Ekitike’s agent pushed back a meeting with Newcastle transfer chiefs earlier this week, despite a transfer deal being agreed for his client.
Romano, in turn, suggests that those in positions of power at St. James’ Park might be willing to “consider other options.”
Another hamstring injury for Hugo Ekitike today during the France game. His agent was expected in Newcastle on Monday after an agreement was reached with Reims, but he was late. ⚪️ #NUFC
The deal could be further delayed now after injury – Newcastle will also consider other options.
— Fabrice Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 9, 2022
Diaby stays put
Elsewhere on the Newcastle front, the Geordie outfit also today received a fatal blow in their ongoing pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby.
This came after Bayer sporting director Simon Rolfes confirmed in an interview with Ryan Taylor of The Express that:
“We want to keep Moussa as long as possible. We have no offers and are not looking for them at this time.
Excl: Sitting with Bayer Leverkusen manager Simon Rolfes who told me #NUFC The Moussa Diaby target is not for sale.
“We want to keep Moussa as long as possible. We have no offers and are not looking for them at this time.
Big interview to follow… https://t.co/GJuY5ZJ5sh
— Ryan Taylor (@RyanTaylorSport) June 9, 2022
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