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Hugo Ekitike reveals why he didn’t join Newcastle United in January

By Sourav Mahanty

REIMS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 06: Hugo Ekitike of Stade de Reims reacts after scoring during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Reims and Bordeaux at Stade Auguste Delaune on February 06, 2022 in Reims, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
REIMS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 06: Hugo Ekitike of Stade de Reims reacts after scoring during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Reims and Bordeaux at Stade Auguste Delaune on February 06, 2022 in Reims, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United are expected to go after a striker in the upcoming summer transfer window. Callum Wilson and Chris Wood are the two main men up front at St James’ Park right now but neither of them has been able to show this season that they will be able to score on a consistent basis for the Magpies moving forward.

Thus, do not be surprised if Newcastle United end up making an addition to their frontline in the summer and they have been linked with quite a few big names.

Of course, there have been the expected rumours linking them with Darwin Nunez of Benfica and Victor Osimhen of Napoli, two of the most highly-rated young strikers in football right now, who several of Europe’s biggest clubs are believed to be after. At the same time, they have been linked with an exciting prospect in Stade Reims’ Hugo Ekitike as well though.

Ekitike is one of the most highly-rated young strikers in France at the moment. Newcastle United were believed to be looking to make a move happen in January and when asked by L’Equipe why it didn’t happen, as reported by Get French Football News, the Stade Reims star said:

"“I have a lot of respect for that big club. But it was all happening very quickly, the timing wasn’t right. It was better to stay here, to play a full season, to establish myself.”"

Why Ekitike did not join Newcastle United in January

Ekitike is one of the most exciting young players in France right now but at the same time, he has very little experience of top flight football. Thus, it is not surprising that he might be reluctant to leave Stade Reims in the middle of the season and move to a completely different country and culture.

One cannot rule out a summer move though, as rumours have only picked up pace since then instead of going away. He is believed to be rated at a transfer fee around £30 million.

According to stats from Transfermarkt, Ekitike has scored 10 goals and provided 4 assists in 25 appearances for Stade Reims across all competitions this season. A fantastic return for a striker who is only 19 years of age and expected to only get better moving forward as he gets more experience under his belt.

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