Hugo Ekitike drops bombshell as Newcastle told transfer target wants to stay at Stade de Reims

Hugo Ekitike has informed Stade de Reims boss Oscar Garcia that he wants to stay at the club - just weeks after Newcastle United had a bid accepted for the highly-rated striker.

Newcastle revisited a move for Ekitike last month after previously attempting to sign the 20-year-old in January. Although Ekitike did not feel ready to move to St James' Park in the mid-season window, after only breaking into Reims' first team a few months previously, Newcastle's owners understood why and felt encouraged enough to return to the negotiating table.

Newcastle reached a fresh agreement with Reims last month worth an initial £25.6m plus add-ons for Ekitike. However, Ekitike's agent, Karl Mwalako Buchmann, has appeared to be keeping his client's options open ever since despite suitors PSG and Borussia Dortmund not making an offer to date.

It has left Newcastle with little alternative but to look at other goalscorers and it seems, as it stands, Ekitike is staying put at his hometown club unless one of Europe's elite clubs come calling.

"He told me wanted to stay, but if there’s Real Madrid and Barcelona who come knocking..." Garcia said via RMC Sport. "I find Hugo calm. I spoke with him. He will have no problem staying at the club, and neither will I.”

After signing Nick Pope and Matt Targett, and agreeing a deal in principle with Lille for Sven Botman, Newcastle's priority this summer is to bring in more firepower. Eddie Howe would like to sign another striker and, ideally, a wide forward, too.