Newcastle dealt blow with Reims striker Hugo Ekitike snubbing deadline day move

Newcastle look to have missed out on one of their deadline day targets, with Reims striker Hugo Ekitike turning down a move.

This comes despite the club seeing an offer in the region of £33million, including add-ons, accepted by the Ligue 1 club earlier today.

It is understood that there was a late push from family and others involved in the deal, but the 19-year-old has not changed his mind.

Newcastle are in talks with Reims to sign their highly rated teenage striker Hugo Ekitike 

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle side could be in for a busy final day of the transfer window

Before his stance became clear, it appeared that the Magpies were facing a race against time to snap up the talent before the window slammed shut.

Talks were ongoing today, but sources in France said that the player needed convincing the move was right for him – with those efforts seemingly failing.

Reports in France suggested that the switch was off, and Sportsmail understands that this is indeed the case. 

Ekitike is regarded as one of the best young strikers in France having scored eight times during his breakthrough season.

Newcastle were in talks with Reims earlier this month – as revealed by Sportsmail on January 10 – but walked away from the deal.

However, they returned with their interest over the weekend and an agreement was reached with the Ligue 1 club.

Ekitike has had a great season for Reims scoring eight goals in 18 Ligue 1 appearances

The bonus for Newcastle would have been hat, because of his age, Ekitike would not have taken up a place in their 25-man squad for the Premier League.

Boss Eddie Howe wanted a young striker to compete with Callum Wilson, but when Newcastle’s No 9 was injured in late December, attention turned to a more experienced option. Burnley’s Chris Wood then arrived for £25m on January 13.

Ekitike – who can play as a striker or on the wing – would have represented another coup for Howe and the club’s new Saudi-backed owners, who completed a £35m deal for Lyon and Brazil playmaker Bruno Guimaraes on Sunday.

Meanwhile, a loan deal is in place for Aston Villa left-back Matt Targett – including a loan fee and survival bonus – while centre-back Dan Burn is set to complete his £13m move from Brighton.