Newcastle close to agreeing terms with Hugo Ekitike

Newcastle United are near sealing a deal for Reims striker Hugo Ekitike as Eddie Howe goals to bolster his attacking choices forward of subsequent season.

What’s the phrase?

That’s in accordance with Sky Sports activities Information reporter Keith Downie, who relayed the switch replace from his colleague Dharmesh Sheth by way of Twitter.

He outlined: “Private phrases are near being agreed with Hugo Ekitike forward of his proposed transfer to Newcastle, in accordance with @skysports_sheth. If teems will be agreed it’s hoped, he can journey to Tyneside for medical & to finish transfer subsequent week. Ekitike presently having a while off.”

Newcastle followers will like it

This information will certainly delight the Toon trustworthy, and it now appears solely a matter of time earlier than the signing is formally introduced.

Howe has overseen a exceptional turnaround at Newcastle since being appointed final November, main the group away from the drop zone and into a snug Eleventh-place end within the Premier League final season.

Additional enchancment shall be wanted to fulfill the membership’s new homeowners, although, and with no scarcity of cash accessible for transfers, the 44-year-old seems to be like he’s constructing a squad which might problem the European place, with the possible signing of Ekitike a very spectacular coup.

The 19-year-old scored 11 instances final season while including an additional three assists in a breakthrough marketing campaign which has additionally attracted interest from the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.

In comparison with positional friends within the huge 5 European leagues, Ekitike ranks within the prime 7% for non-penalty objectives (0.64 per 90) and within the prime 3% for dribbles accomplished (2.12 per 90), with the latter metric proving that he isn’t afraid of taking gamers on and showcasing his talents.

With 2.69 shot-creating actions per match additionally, the striker seems eager to provide himself as many possibilities as attainable to attain, exhibiting nice maturity at solely 19 years of age.

Ekitike may not be the completed product simply but, however his potential might see him turn out to be some of the feared strikers on the continent over the subsequent few seasons. Think about what a delight it could be for the St James’ Park trustworthy to see him changing into simply that in Newcastle colors.

AND in different information, NUFC within the combine to signal “horrifying” £528k-p/w “freak of nature”, Howe would love him…