NUFC strike £10m "agreement" over huge last-gasp swoop, he's miles better than Ekitike - opinion

A key update has emerged in Newcastle United’s pursuit of Atletico Madrid attacker Yannick Carrasco in the January transfer window…

According to journalist Matteo Moretto, the Magpies have agreed personal terms with the forward as they look to make a last-gasp deadline day swoop for him.

He tweeted: “Agreement between Newcastle and Yannick Carrasco, who will have a record of 12 million per season. Throughout the afternoon the English club will deposit its termination clause.”

This news could come as a much-needed boost for the Magpies after their deal for Reims forward Hugo Ekitike reportedly fell through.

The Toon are prepared to pay £10m per season to the Belgium international, and he is a player who has the quality to come straight in and have an instant impact on the team. This may not have been the case with Ekitike, which is why he could be a much better alternative to the young Frenchman.

At the age of 19, the Reims talent has limited exposure to first-team football. He has scored eight goals in 18 games in Ligue 1 this season, but he has not proven that he can adapt to playing abroad or that he can do it over a prolonged period of time.

This means that he could have been a signing with the future in mind, rather than a player brought in to help the club immediately in their bid to avoid relegation. By contrast, Carrasco could come in and instantly improve the team, which could make him far better for Eddie Howe than Ekitike as Newcastle are currently 18th in the Premier League and need results as soon as possible.

The 28-year-old has 33 goals and 38 assists in 204 games for Atletico Madrid in Spain, competing in the Champions League and La Liga for Diego Simeone’s side. He also managed 24 goals and 17 assists in