Newcastle United transfer target Hugo Ekitike has been told that he is allowed to leave French side Reims, reports reliable journalist Lee Ryder.
The Lowdown: Winter target
The 19-year-old was the subject of a big transfer saga involving the Magpies in January after the Premier League side lodged a huge bid for the Frenchman.
The U20 France international chose to stall on the move, leaving Eddie Howe with the arrival of Chris Wood from Burnley as the side’s main striking option.
Wood scored just twice and was immediately usurped once Callum Wilson returned from injury, so it would be no surprise to see another striker come in this summer.
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The Latest: Allowed to leave
Reliable journalist Lee Ryder took to Twitter to share the latest update on Ekitike, where he claimed: “Newcastle's winter target told he can leave”.
In the adjoining article, Chronicle Live report that Reims club president Jean-Pierre Caillot has admitted defeat that the striker will leave the Ligue 1 outfit this summer.
Speaking in an interview, Caillot said: "The amount should be more than €20million (£17m). Afterwards, you have to know how to be reasonable."
According to Chronicle Live, it is presumed that ‘afterwards’ means the potential add-ons, and there is talk of a 25% sell on fee.
Discussing a potential move to Newcastle, he asserted: "It's typically the kind of environment where he could continue to grow and move on."
The Verdict: 'Huge' potential
Reims' reserves coach Franck Chalençon told Eurosport France that Ekitike is a player with "huge potential", as “in front of the goal, his ratio is excellent” (via Eurosport).
When compared with positional peers across Europe, the 19-year-old ranks in the 93rd percentile for non-penalty goals, illustrating his natural finishing ability in the final third (via FB Ref).
Therefore, if Newcastle go all in for the Frenchman again this summer, this could be a fantastic signing for Howe.
In other news: Newcastle United: Journalist shares Eddie Howe’s transfer priorities