Back in January, 90min reporter Graeme Bailey was the first journalist to reveal our interest in Hugo Ekitike, claiming we were in ‘advanced talks’ over a £30m move for the Reims star.
Almost six months later, the same reporter has issued an explosive update on the 20-year-old, stating that we have now pulled out of a deal for the Frenchman.
Bailey writes that the player’s agent – Karl Mwalako Buchmann – has left Newcastle United infuriated, as he has not only demanded extra payments during negotiations but also offered his client to other clubs in Europe; despite the fact we’d had a bid accepted by Reims and agreed personal terms with the player.
The report does state that a move could be resurrected if Ekitike’s agent backs down and agrees to stop playing games, however, as things stand, the club have walked away from talks and are now pursuing alternatives.
Let’s hope this is ploy from Newcastle to make Buchmann to see sense, as we won’t be messed around and can’t wait forever when time is ticking.
