Stade Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot has revealed that the club have rejected an offer of £35m plus bonuses from Newcastle United for highly-rated striker Hugo Ekitike.
The 60-year-old also claims that we included a host of clauses in our bid that were ‘impossible to achieve’, stating that one bonus would only be activated if we won the Champions League!
That said, the Reims owner has named a fee and structure of payments he’d be happy to accept, announcing that €30m up front and €10m in ‘realistic bonuses’ later down the line is what the club are looking for if they are to sell the 19-year-old talent whose bagged eight goals and four assists in 19 appearances this season.
Speaking exclusively to Le Quotidien Du Sport, here’s what Jean-Pierre Caillot has had to say about our interest:
“It is true that many now realize the qualities of the player.
“What he does does not surprise us.
“Newcastle positioned themselves, we discussed, they made a proposal which does not suit us.
“As we don’t necessarily want to see him leave, we have set the bar quite high.
“They offered us €35million in total but with many bonuses, some of which were almost impossible to achieve. Like winning the Champions League!”
“We want €30million “fixed” + €10million in ‘realistic’ bonuses.”
Well if we’ve offered £35m and they want what will end up potentially being £40m – it seems like a deal could be done there I reckon ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
He’s either worth £40 million or he isn’t. Pay it or walk away.
We don’t want to be in a situation where we “saved £5 million” but went down vs paying what they want and staying up.
Mark Slavin(Quote)
A lot for him, although he looks a player. We need one’s who can hit the ground running and not hot prospects for the future.
Much will be said of money and the like but do we want relegation??
Terry Syson(Quote)
Just paid the money and give them the bonuses there want.
This boy will be loved by the toon faithful
Kevin(Quote)