There is no deal for Hugo Ekitike to join Newcastle United in the January transfer window, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed. The player wishes to remain at Reims for the remainder of the season and Reims were also not happy with the condition of a sell on clause that would have amounted to 30%.
Hugo Ekitike Opts for Reims Stay
Hugo Ekitike will NOT join Newcastle. Final communication just arrived to club directors. He prefers to stay at Reims until the end of the season. ❌ #NUFC
Newcastle were also not happy with sell on clause for future 30% to Reims.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2022
Newcastle Will Search Elsewhere
The 19-year-old forward player was seen as being a key target for Eddie Howe, but there were issues around suggested bonuses with one claimed to be around Newcastle winning the Champions League. Reims felt that Newcastle were trying to shift payments for the player and the club only wanted to discuss a deal involving full payment up front for the striker.
Reims Wanted Player to Stay
Reims club President Jean-Pierre Caillot said that they wanted to keep the player and that although Newcastle made an offer, it was not a deal that they wanted to accept:
“As we do not really want him to leave, we have fixed the price quite high. They did offer us €35million (£29m) all in, but with a number of bonuses, some of them were quasi-impossible to reach. Like for example, winning the Champions League… We want €30m (£25m) flat and €10m (£8.3m) achievable bonuses.”
With their new found wealth, Newcastle are likely to find clubs putting up the price for their players but Eddie Howe said they will not be held to ransom (The Mirror):
“You have to draw a line in certain situations and say, ‘No, we’re not going to pay that money’, otherwise where does the game go? It goes to an uncomfortable place, I think. It’s all about the individual player and judging each situation on individual merits, and that’s what we’ve tried to do.”
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