Ex Newcastle United flop close to joining Blackburn as Magpies’ €30m deal ‘back on track’

Newcastle United are hoping to close in on the signing of Hugo Ekitike this week, according to reports.
Dominic Scurr
By Dominic Scurr
Published 13th Jun 2022, 17:36 BST
Updated 13th Jun 2022, 18:20 BST
Stade de Reims forward Hugo Ekitike suffered a hamstring injury last week. Stade de Reims forward Hugo Ekitike suffered a hamstring injury last week.
Stade de Reims forward Hugo Ekitike suffered a hamstring injury last week.

Newcastle United’s Hugo Ekitike deal ‘back on track’ 

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Newcastle’s pursuit of Hugo Ekitike ‘back on track’ with an agreement in place with Reims. Despite ‘positive contact’ with the player’s agent, the club are still waiting for his representatives to finalise the deal.

Ekitike was forced off with a muscle injury in France Under-20s’ Tournoi Maurice Revello semi-final win over Mexico last week. Les Bleuets went on to win the tournament with a 2-1 win over Venezuela.

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And Ekitike’s injury is not as bad as first feared as he was pictured celebrating with his teammates after the tournament win.

Journalist Nicolo Schira has also reported that a five-year deal for Ekitike is in the final stages with a transfer fee of €30million plus add-ons on the table.

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Ex-NUFC and AC Milan forward on the verge of Blackburn Rovers job

Blackburn Rovers are set to appoint former Newcastle United forward Jon Dahl Tomasson as manager.

The 45-year-old will be appointed as new manager at Ewood Park within the next 48 hours, according to Sky Sports

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Tomasson is set to fill the managerial spot left vacant at Blackburn following Tony Mowbray’s departure at the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

Denmark’s joint all-time top goalscorer most recently managed Malmo FF in Sweden but left in December 2021.

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During his playing career, Tomasson arrived at Newcastle from Dutch side Heerenveen as a youngster and scored four goals in 35 appearances during the 1997-98 campaign before returning to the Eredivisie with Feyenoord.

Despite struggling during his season on Tyneside, Tomasson was still able to forge a stellar career for himself at the very top level as he helped Feyenoord win the UEFA Cup in 2002 before lifting the Champions League with AC Milan the following season.

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Following his retirement from playing, Tomasson moved into management with Dutch sides Excelsior and Roda JC Kerkrade before moving to Malmo in 2020.

In his two season’s in charge at Malmo, Tomasson secured the Allsvenskan title twice and helped them reach the Champions League group stage.

Related topics:MagpiesBlackburnFrance