According to The Telegraph, Sven Botman and Hugo Ekitike are BOTH keen to complete summer moves to St James’ Park.
While Luke Edwards’ latest update reveals how Lille’s last minute price-hike has left the Botman deal in doubt – we thought we’d agreed a deal at £30m but they’re now demanding £36m – he shared much more encouraging news on Ekitike.
It’s his understanding that the deal be wrapped up ‘this week’, with just a few ‘minor details’ to be agreed after the club struck a deal with Reims; believed to be an initial £12m that could rise to £30m with add-ons.
Here’s what Edwards had to say on both in his latest piece for The Telegraph on the Toon transfer front…
Luke Edwards on Sven Botman:
‘Newcastle are said to be extremely annoyed as they thought they had a [£30m] deal agreed last week. They are also confident that the player wants to move to Tyneside and that personal terms for the 22-year-old will not be a problem.
‘But having been encouraged to bid again for the Netherlands Under-21 international, Newcastle thought a deal was close to being agreed only for the goalposts to be shifted [to £36m] once more.
‘With the deadlock remaining over the weekend, senior sources at St James’ Park have told Telegraph Sport that they are considering other options and will walk away unless Lille see sense.’
Luke Edwards on Hugo Ekitike:
‘There is a rather more positive assessment of Newcastle’s ongoing negotiations with striker Hugo Ekitike.
‘The Frenchman is keen on the move and a fee has been agreed with Reims, which will involve Newcastle paying an initial sum of around £12m for the teenager (which could rise to £30m with various add-ons and performance related clauses).
‘The deal should be completed this week although there are a few minor details to be agreed still, including agent fees.‘
Both deals have been in the pipeline for a couple of weeks and we almost signed the pair in January, so it’s promising to hear that they are interested in finalising moves to Tyneside – especially when some feared the delay was due to both being unconvinced or preferring moves elsewhere.
Walk away from the Botman deal and let Lille settle for a fee from elsewhere which would probably be less than £30m
Toon expat(Quote)
Give them a deadline if not sorted by it move on not to be held up by anyone anymore
Stuart(Quote)
Lille r just gonna take the max pis like they did in January playing mind games
They think cos we are the richest owners of a football club we jsut gonna bow down and give in well ur the ones lille who r gonna look a fool cos we won’t
Aaron(Quote)