Newcastle United are still trying to iron out the final sticking points as they push to secure Hugo Ekitike's signature this summer. The Magpies have been in talks with the player since early June but are yet to strike an agreement with him and his entourage.
Ekitike has been a top target for the Newcastle ownership and Chronicle Live understand the 19-year-old is open to a move to Tyneside, despite snubbing a switch in January. However, agent fees and interest from elsewhere in Europe mean a deal is not quite done yet.
As reported elsewhere on Friday, should the final terms be agreed in the coming days, a medical could take place as soon as next week and the move could be finalised by the time Eddie Howe and his players return for pre-season on July 1.
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Other clubs remain hopeful of beating Newcastle to the transfer in the coming weeks. PSG have tracked Ekitike all season and new sporting director Luis Campos is a fan of the attacker, who enjoyed a promising breakthrough season in Ligue 1.
Borussia Dortmund have also been keeping a keen eye in recent months. However, no other Premier League teams are currently in the running.
Ekitike is enjoying a well-earned break after a long campaign with Reims and the recent Maurice Revello tournament in France. The teenager picked up a hamstring injury in the semi-final of the competition and was forced to settle for a place on the bench as his country beat Venezuela in the final.
Ekitike jetted off on holiday earlier this week and is currently enjoying some down time with PSG star Timothee Pembele and Reims team-mate Nathaniel Mbuku among others. The player will have a short break before returning to the training pitch in July.
Chronicle Live reported this week that Howe is open to signing younger players from abroad, as they will not be parachuted into a relegation battle like in January. It is also understood that Ekitike has been given assurances he will be a major part of the club's next phase of development.
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