Report: Newcastle agree Hugo Ekitike fee; £40m deal close

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Newcastle United are closing in on signing Hugo Ekitike, with Foot Mercato reporting that a fee worth up to £40 million has been agreed with Reims for the striker.

Magpies fans must have wondered whether Ekitike would ever end up on Tyneside. After weeks of speculation, Newcastle agreed a fee during the January transfer window. However, the 19-year-old ultimately stayed put.

Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot said this week that Newcastle have maintained contact over a possible move. And it seems that Eddie Howe’s side are now edging closer to a deal.

Foot Mercato reports that Newcastle have now agreed a fee with Reims for Ekitike. They are set to pay £30.7 million up front in a deal that could be worth up to £40 million.

And crucially, the report adds that only the final small details need to be agreed. It certainly seems that the teenager is on his way to Tyneside this summer.

Newcastle agree fee for Ekitike

It is no surprise to see Newcastle edge closer to signing Ekitike. They were ready to pay the money in January at a time when their Premier League status was precarious.

So it makes sense that they have acted quickly now that they can look up the table.

He has been described as a ‘very special‘ striker. Ekitike has scored 10 goals in Ligue 1 this past season. He only started 15 times, with a further nine appearances coming from the bench.

There is real excitement about what his future could hold. And it seems that Newcastle are set to be the ones to offer him the chance to play in the Premier League.

It is a big outlay from the Magpies. But their willingness to agree a fee in the last two transfer windows highlights just how determined they are to get him in.