The Hugo Ekitike to Newcastle United transfer saga that has dominated the headlines on Tyneside in recent months looks to be over after Reims' self-imposed transfer deadline passed over the weekend.
The French forward, 20, has been a key transfer target for Newcastle in recent months with a deal agreed between the club and Reims earlier this summer. Personal terms with the player proved to be the sticking point as Ekitike pondered other options from across the continent.
Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot recently made it clear that any player with an accepted transfer offer must have decided their future by July 10. In an interview with local media he indicated players such Ekitike, Wout Faes and Predrag Rajkovic, who have all had offers accepted for their services, must have made a final decision before the club's pre-season trip to Belgium on that date.
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Caillot insisted he would not hesitate to cancel any deals if they drag on beyond that date. Ekitike has now joined his Reims team-mates and travelled to Brussels for the pre-season camp.
PSG and Borussia Dortmund have been linked a move for the youngster with the French side said to have agreed a deal. The player was said to have been happy to stay at Reims if PSG didn't launch a bid.
"He told me he wanted to stay, but if Real Madrid or Barcelona come knocking," Reims boss Oscar Garcia told a press conference. "Hugo feels calm. I have spoken with him. He will have no problem staying at the club and neither will I!"
Newcastle have moved on to other attacking targets with Moussa Diaby the key option in their hunt for a winger. Jack Harrison, Ismaila Sarr and Maxwel Cornet have also been linked. Howe also wants a striker brought in before the start of the season with Dominic Calvert-Lewin one name explored.
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