Newcastle United want a breakthrough on their six-month battle to sign Hugo Ekitike from Reims after fresh talks with the Ligue 1 club.
And Chronicle Live understands that Ekitike has been given assurances he will be a major part of the club's next phase of development. The Magpies feel that the lure of being one of the first names on the team sheet week in, week out, will be enough to fend off interest from Borussia Dortmund.
The 19-year-old's representatives believe they have agreed a good financial package for themselves and the French forward. And Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot is also keen to push on and complete an initial £26.5million deal.
