Newcastle step up pursuit of French wonderkid Hugo Ekitike at Reims but don’t want to pay £25m

Newcastle step up pursuit of French wonderkid Hugo Ekitike, 19, but are reluctant to meet the £25m asking price Reims are demanding to part ways with the striker compared to Kylian Mbappe and David Trezeguet

  • Hugo Ekitike is keen on a move to the Premier League with Newcastle
  • But as it stands, the Magpies don’t want to meet Reims’ £25million asking price
  • The 19-year-old striker Ekitike has admirers from clubs all across Europe 


Newcastle are in talks to sign French wonderkid Hugo Ekitike – but are currently reluctant to meet the Reims striker’s £25million valuation.

Having agreed a deal to sign Chris Wood from Burnley on Tuesday night in a transaction worth £25million, the Magpies are interested in adding to their goal threat with a move for the 19-year-old Ekitike.

Initial discussions over a move are underway, but Newcastle have so far refused to meet the price quoted and value the player at £20million.

Newcastle are in talks to sign 19-year-old French wonderkid Hugo Ekitike from Reims

Newcastle value Ekitike at £20m, but the French side want £25m before parting ways

Newcastle value Ekitike at £20m, but the French side want £25m before parting ways 

Intriguingly, however, Sportsmail understands that Ekitike is interested in Newcastle’s project under the new Saudi-led regime and is open to a move to St James’ Park.

Dialogue with regards to a move for the striker, who has been compared to Kylian Mbappe and David Trezeguet, is ongoing but the relegation-threatened club face losing out on Ekitike with a host of clubs also looking at the striker.

In the Premier League, Brighton, Tottenham and Brentford are among the clubs that have shown an interest in the youngster, who is being tipped for a call-up into France’s senior set-up later this year. 

He also has interest from across Europe.

Newcastle have also agreed a deal to sign Burnley striker Chris Wood for £25million

Newcastle have also agreed a deal to sign Burnley striker Chris Wood for £25million

Ekitike is widely recognised as one of the best young players in European football at the moment.

He has scored eight goals and supplied three assists in just 900 minutes of football this season and is being tipped for stardom in France.

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