Newcastle: £25.6m star's agent was scheduled to be at St James' Park today

The agent of Newcastle United target Hugo Ekitike was due to be in the city ‘today’ to ‘discuss personal terms’, according to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor.

Ekitike has been a long-term target for the Magpies and appeared set to finally arrive from Stade Reims before suffering his latest injury setback while on international duty.

The 19-year-old was close to joining Eddie Howe’s revolution in the January transfer window before he decided to stay put following a late show of interest from Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Sky Sports claim that ‘positive talks’ have taken place recently between Newcastle and Ekitike after Reims granted permission for their prized asset to speak to the North East outfit.

A fee worth around €30 million (£25.6m) is believed to be under discussion for the Frenchman, although a fitness concern could delay his move to St. James’ Park even further.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Ekitike has a fresh hamstring problem, potentially causing further complication to the already protracted deal.

Romano also states that the Toon Army will ‘consider other options’, throwing the switch into doubt as the club’s hierarchy begins to lose patience.

Taylor has now revealed in an interview with GiveMeSport that Ekitike’s representatives were due to be in Newcastle today to push the move ‘over the line’, although he’s not sure if that’s still happening due to the injury.

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He told GMS: “The information I was receiving last week was that Newcastle were going to ask for a medical report on that before deciding to push ahead with it.

“Ekitike’s agent was meant to be in Newcastle today to discuss personal terms and