Fresh twist: Newcastle United facing deadline day heartbreak, fans will be worried - opinion

Newcastle United are facing a fresh twist in their pursuit of Stade Reims striker Hugo Ekitike on transfer deadline day.

According to reliable French journalist Nabil Djellit, a move for Ekitike is not the done deal that was seemingly being reported earlier on in the day from the likes of Sky Sports.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “Hugo Ekitike in Newcastle, it’s far from done… The club offers a deal at 27 M € and bonuses that can go to more than 40 M € . But does the player want to go there? I have my doubts… This summer there will be a much more exciting market.”

While the Magpies might have already gotten one striker through the door in Chris Wood earlier in this January transfer window, bringing Ekitike would have helped complete Eddie Howe’s attack heading into the second-half of the season in the Premier League.

Callum Wilson’s injury record is something that has left a lot to be desired for the Magpies, and if he were to get injured again, then the Tyneside club would once again be left short of goals up top.

In Ekitike, they would be getting someone who has started the campaign in Ligue 1 in fine form, netting eight times in just 18 top-flight games in French football.

After news was earlier reported from the likes of Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie that a bid had been accepted from Reims, news from Djellit that a deal is in fact “far from done” is very worrying news for Newcastle supporters.

As Djellit says, the summer could prove to be a “more exciting market” for the young striker should he opt to stay put, where he will know which clubs will be competing in Europe perhaps or could offer him a bigger financial package.

Getting him signed now would ensure the Magpies have secured the future of one of French