Newcastle United are reportedly now 'confident' that they can sign Hugo Ekitike in the summer.

The Lowdown: January bid

A reported £33m deal for the 19-year-old to move to Tyneside from Reims fell through on deadline day in the January transfer window, so Chris Wood from Burnley ended up being the only attacker to come through the doors at St James' Park.

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However, journalist Ryan Taylor has claimed that the Magpies have been 'told' that they can sign Ekitike this summer instead, but it is not clear whether the same kind of fee will be required to seal a deal.

The Latest: Newcastle confident on Ekitike

Taking to Twitter, transfer insider Graeme Bailey has revealed that Newcastle are now 'confident' of signing Ekitike.

Expanding in his latest article for 90min, the journalist added that they hope to wrap up a deal 'soon' after Eddie Howe 'pinpointed' him as a target back in the winter.

Sources close to the player have revealed that he is 'keen' to move to St James' Park as the Magpies target another striker to bolster their ranks.

The Verdict: Get it done

After failing to sign him in January, the St James' Park board simply must now get a deal for Ekitike over the line.

Described as a ‘very special‘ player earlier this season by his manager Oscar Garcia, the teenager has a big future ahead of him, and some in France even go as far as to believe that he could be the ‘next Mbappe‘.

With 10 goals and four assists in 25 matches across all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt), Ekitike has burst onto the scene in his home country, so this would be an exciting deal for the Tyneside club if they can finally go through with it.

In other news, find out what exciting NUFC transfer update Keith Downie has now revealed