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.
