Hugo Ekitke handed Newcastle United transfer ultimatum after Reims accept £25.6m bid

Hugo Ekitike has told Reims manager Oscar Garcia that he wants to stay at the Ligue 1 outfit despite having a bid from Newcastle United accepted.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Magpies agreed a £25.6million fee with Reims for the 20-year-old forward last month but a deal has failed to progress.

Newcastle were unable to reach an agreement regarding agent fees with Ekitike’s representatives and they have since distanced themselves from the deal.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

During his Friday press conference, Garcia was asked about the young striker’s future at the club.

Reims' forward Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and OGC Nice at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northern France on May 21, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images)Reims' forward Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and OGC Nice at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northern France on May 21, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images)
Reims' forward Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and OGC Nice at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northern France on May 21, 2022. (Photo by FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP via Getty Images)
Read More
Callum Wilson's five-word reaction to Newcastle United pre-season return

“He told me wanted to stay, but if there’s Real Madrid and Barcelona who come knocking...” Garcia said via RMC Sport.

“I find Hugo calm. I spoke with him. He will have no problem staying at the club, and neither will I.”

Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot has previously stated that he expects Ekitike to leave the club this summer. RMC report that he has also indicated that players who have offers on the table to leave Reims have to find a new club before their pre-season trip to Belgium on July 10.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

If not, Caillot suggested that any potential deals, namely those involving Ekitike, Wout Faes and Predrag Rajkovic would simply be cancelled.

With any further movement not forthcoming, it would appear that Newcastle’s attempt to sign Ekitike is set to fail once again. The club tried to sign the Frenchman in January but he opted to stay at Reims instead as he ended the 2021-22 campaign with 10 goals in 24 Ligue 1 appearances.

Related topics: