Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Report: ‘Very special’ player is completely ignoring Newcastle’s calls as they try and sign him
Hugo Ekitike is ignoring Newcastle’s calls as contact over signing the talented striker has dwindled in recent days.
The report that the striker has gone on holiday during the summer break and there has not been any contact between the club and him or his representatives for more than a week.
Moreover, Newcastle have made calls but they have been ignored and not returned and there is a worry he no longer wants to make the move.
The hitman is still being offered to other clubs, despite Newcastle agreeing a fee with Reims, which could rise to £26 million.
Ekitike is ignoring Newcastle’s calls
More generally, Newcastle’s hierarchy are getting frustrated and exasperated with their general situation in the transfer market at present.
They feel that wage demands, inflated prices, agent fees are all problems as they embark on their first summer since the takeover.
Ekitike and Sven Botman are two deals which have now dragged on over two transfer windows, and the progress of signing Nick Pope from relegated Burnley has seemingly been far more rapid.
Ekitike has been and is clearly a player Newcastle like a lot; the time and energy they have put into trying to sign him underlines that.
Newcastle are now exploring alternatives to Botman and Ekitike, because as it stands they will have just one new outfield signing by the time pre-season starts next week.
There is something to be said for being patient and it certainly seems wise for Newcastle to keep their powder dry and not get pushed around or taken for a ride in the market.
And if it is not to be Botman or Ekitike, there are other good players on the market who will be keener to come to Newcastle, you would think.