Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano is turning out to be quite a reliable source in this transfer window.
And he has just tweeted that Newcastle’s first offer for 19-year-old Reims forward Hugo Ekitike has been turned down by the French club.
Even though Chris Wood is expected to sign along the dotted line today. it seems like Newcastle still want another striker brought in during this January window.
A young striker would be perfect, with Callum Wilson now 29 and Chris Wood, 30 – but both are experienced Premier League strikers.
Here’s Romano’s tweet:
Reims are not intentioned to accept Newcastle opening proposal for talented striker Hugo Ekitike. Deal more than complicated – there's interest also from West Ham but nothing advanced yet. ???? #NUFC
Reims want also a sell on clause included into potential Ekitike deal.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 11, 2022
This could become a complicated deal with Reims said to want £30M up front with an additional £10M based on performance-related data at Newcastle.
And they also want a 20% sell-on clause.
If Reims wont let him leave in January, maybe Newcastle can sign a pre-contract agreement, so he comes to Newcastle in the summer?
Newcastle are also after other young strikers, including Torino’s 23-year-old Brazilian Gleison Bremer, who Neil reported on this morning.
News yesterday that Newcastle Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan held a meeting with Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi until after midnight on Saturday after the ignominious Cambridge defeat.
It appears the PIF Governor agreed to give out more money this month, so Newcastle can get players in to strengthen the squad.
Let’s hope we can get at least a center-back in before Saturday – the game against Watford on Saturday is crucial.
What do you think?
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83 comments so far
niafron
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:11 AM
Comment #1Let’s be honnest… my countrymen consider the NUFC as… what is the english word for “un pigeon”? A dupe? A patsy?
niafron
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:14 AM
Comment #230 millions for Ekitike… perhaps he’s a future top player, but right now… and why not a coffee and a b*** job with that?
Toon Tang
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:17 AM
Comment #3nia, a coffee and a BJ sounds good to me! hahaha
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:17 AM
Comment #4Adamn_92 – you seriously would? You wouldn’t slate the player for leaving one team in a relegation battle for another? You wouldn’t laugh because there’s no way the player is worth that much? You wouldn’t take the piss because the club wasn’t able to sign someone better for that money?
It’s a decent signing for the position we’re in but I have no issue with fans of other clubs taking the piss a little. They’re doing it from a position of jealousy and fear of what we will be like in a few years anyway…
ShaytoStay
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:18 AM
Comment #5We should be looking at players like the nice fc striker. There was talk of this
JP...from The Rock
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:19 AM
Comment #6West Ham are after every player we’re linked with it seems lol
niafron
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:21 AM
Comment #7ShaytoStay
Andy Delors? Gouiri? Dolberg?
niafron
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:23 AM
Comment #8( By the Way, this is OGC Nice, not Nice FC… “Olympique Gymnaste Club”)
Adamn_92
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:23 AM
Comment #9TDS
Nope. No matter what way you look at it, it’s fantastic business by bringing in a proven scorer in the league and weakening a relegation rival. It’s really as simple as that. Strikers always cost a fair amount, especially ones that are proven in the premier league. So £20-£25m is probably the going rate in all honesty. Makes 0 sense to applaud some deals for strikers with a worse or similar goal record than him for similar money, yet question this one. Where’s the logic?
I don’t have issue with other fans taking the piss, it’s what football fans do, they have little jabs at other clubs fans. It’s the pundits who are supposed to know football well and should act more professional that I take issue with. There’s nothing about this deal which isn’t smart and good business.
JP...from The Rock
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:24 AM
Comment #10Want this player in for when ASM inevitably breaks down injured.
snowdone
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:25 AM
Comment #11Jail and I share one thing in common- a birthday! I’ve even liked his very sensible posts today! Can this Saturday be the exception to many underwhelming matches recently?
theartfuldodger
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:26 AM
Comment #12How come all foreign players start at 30m.
Maybe we should do our research on players in the last 12 to 18 months of their contract.
dazzler
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:26 AM
Comment #13Mund,
I think the thing with Ings was he had that one excellent season after signing with Southampton permanently and that seems to be worth the money in many people’s eyes.
We’re paying 5 million less for a player that scored a comparable amount of goals last year in a struggling Burnley team. I think we’re doing OK in that respect.
He’s been poor this season in an above average Villa team so it does look like a waste.
dazzler
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:27 AM
Comment #14JP,
I think Cantwell is being targeted to replace ASM when he’s inevitably crocked.
theartfuldodger
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:27 AM
Comment #15Happy Birthday Jail/Raj and Snowdone !
Adamn_92
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:29 AM
Comment #16Also it totally depends on what club he went to in terms of ‘slating’ him for leaving. Burnley are always going to be fighting relegation until something seriously changes for them. We come along and offer him the chance to be part of a massive project and vision going forward, with new wealthy owners and excitement around the club. We are planning to move forwards and be on the up. Burnley unfortunately for them, aren’t really going anywhere and don’t seem to have any plan other than stay up each year. So you can’t blame him for wanting to join us.
If it was Norwich for example he was joining, then yes you could question why he’s done it. As it would essentially be leaving one club who just aim to avoid the drop each year, for another club with the same goals.
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:29 AM
Comment #17Adamn_92 – I’m a little surprised with Lineker’s comments I must admit but I think as an older player, he’s made a few comments about big transfer fees for average players. He’d have been a £150m player on £300kpw if he was playing today!
It’s true that we’ve basically gutted Burnley and significantly boosted our survival chances.
I still wonder what’s going through Wood’s head in terms of leaving a relegation threatened team in the middle of the season and coming to us.
Adamn_92
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:32 AM
Comment #18TDS
See my comment at #16 for what was likely going through Woods head.
TheTinman
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:34 AM
Comment #19TDS, more money, thinks we’re more likely to stay up, sees us as a better prospect going forward
G
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:35 AM
Comment #20TDS, Lineker’s comments about whom plays for whom are meaningless thanks to his own motivation to play for J-League minows Grampus 8 after his Barca stint, knowing he wasn’t going to play much with his knackered toes.
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:35 AM
Comment #21Adamn_92 – I see that, I do. I think I’d be raging if I was a Burnley fan though, for a player to leave in the middle of the season to a relegation rival. He could literally score the goals for us that relegate Burnley.
Adamn_92
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:36 AM
Comment #22Another new striker name being linked, Udinese striker ‘Beto’
Can’t say I know anything about him to pass any sort of personal opinion.
hibbit
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:36 AM
Comment #23TDS its possibly got more to do with whats going on in Burnley’s head letting him go than Wood’s,
BenbulbenMag
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:37 AM
Comment #24Dayvan Cowboy, gave a good breakdown from the last thread :
Rotonda, “Near 31 year old”? He only turned 30 a month ago, he’s 2 months older than Callum Wilson.
For me, it’s not my money so I don’t really look at the financials, I look at it as weakening a rival, their fans have said in multiple comments that he may not have scored many “so far” this season, but Burnley have looked a worse team when he hasn’t played, if anyone has bothered to go and look at his scoring stats through a season he’s a bit like Ayoze Perez was for us, he scores over 50% of his goals in the second half of the season:
17/18 – Scored 6 of his 10 goals after the Season half way mark – Also missed 9 games from December to February
18/19 – Scored 9 of his 10 goals after the Season half way mark
19/20 – Scored 7 of his 14 goals after the Season half way mark
20/21 – Scored 9 of his 12 goals after the Season half way mark
Added to the above, I’d like to point out that (I heard on a pod today) there are only 4 other people in the Premier league who have scored 10 plus goals consecutively over those 4 seasons. Vardy, Kane, Salah, Lacazette.
Wood is a shrewd purchase for all of the above reasons.
hibbit
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:38 AM
Comment #25Happy Birthday Jail & Snowdone enjoy,
Zorro
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:39 AM
Comment #26Cannot stand the self righteous p@@@@ Gary L but he’s got a point its a total panic buy he’s been atrocious for burnley this season read their comments he’s 30 these owners are clueless sanctioning this deal
Nufc are getting turned down left right and center look we can avoid relegation starting with I think one of the most important games yet at home to watford
Money does talk but not where nufc are concerned
What we have is a very good defender and a striker who has seen better days so far both 30 plus
And don’t give me that bull about experience if your good on the ball at 20 experience counts for nothing
It’s the relegation situation the recruiters and boring Eddie Howe who cannot attract top class players for this project
We should of signed 4 top players before watford then others would of seen we meant business and more would of come
Only at this amatuer club would this happen
It would be one of the most embarrassing events to happen if we were relegated the constant flack nufc would take for a season especially off other teams supporters would be difficult but maybe it needs to happen to get rid of the rubbish that is still at the club
Of course it’s easier if it was avoided the elite players not all would want to be part of the resurgence of this club and if it happens the top 5% of players we would be on a level playing field with the top teams vying for their signatures
But I’m sorry Chris wood is that the best we can do with all the strikers out there
EDDIE HOWE YOUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:39 AM
Comment #27Lineker does say, “I haven’t written him off. He’s a decent player, but at 30 years old it’s just a mad fee.” I would tend to agree that for a player of his quality, it’s a very high fee. Which is why it’s his release clause and Burnley didn’t expect it to be met…
Still think it’s the right signing.
Adamn_92
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:39 AM
Comment #28TDS
Put yourself in Wood’s shoes. Would you stay at Burnley, no plan going forward other than avoid the drop year after year, never seem to invest much, no exciting plan or ambition going forward and chance of relegation this year. Or would you rather join Newcastle who are planning to improve and progress, bring in more players this month, have an exciting project ahead, will offer you a bit more money, have a bigger stadium with 50,000 amazing fans and offer you the chance to be part of something huge for the next few years before you start considering retirement.
It’s a no brainer. Stay at Burnley, maybe get relegated and never get a chance to join a bigger club with a huge project again. Or join that club now.
JP...from The Rock
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:39 AM
Comment #29Dazzler – They play in different positions. Cantwell is more of an attacking midfielder.
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:40 AM
Comment #30hibbit – I don’t think Burnley have a choice. It’s reported that we met his release clause.
G
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:41 AM
Comment #31Zorro you raise some interesting points, but I’m afraid I disagree with you there mate.
theartfuldodger
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:41 AM
Comment #32Well, with the new owners, we got a CF when we needed one. I am already happy !
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:42 AM
Comment #33Adamn_92 – From a purely selfish point of view, sure, it’s a no brainer. It would be a massive show of loyalty to Burnley, its players, and its fans if he chooses to stay there now and not one to expect from modern footballers.
You could argue the same about players like Shearer, Gerrard, and Le Tissier in the past too as there was definitely a case for them moving on. Albeit that all 3 were playing for their local team and Wood is not.
DayvanCowboy
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:44 AM
Comment #34Zorro, “all the strikers out there”….. Please enlighten us all to all these Premier League proven consistent +10 goal a season strikers out there we can go out and sign in our current precarious position? while at the same time arguably weakening one of our key rivals? We are all ears…….
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:45 AM
Comment #35Zorro
Maybe take the rest of the day off, you’re clearly a bit upset.
We need to be realistic about who we can and cannot attract. We also need to contingency plan for a potential relegation – this isn’t planning for failure, it’s just good business. We don’t want to be lumbered with a crazy wage bill and spaffing our FFP wiggle room on a failed relegation escape with players not suited to the Championship.
Trippier and Wood are canny first signings, but they must also be met with at least 1 centre half, another striker and ideally a CDM or a ball-carrying CM.
We needed a striker in before Watford, now that box is ticked. If we defend like we did against Man United, and created the amount of chances we’re capable of then I’m confident we can get the win against Watford.
Bit of faith in the new owners, bit of faith in the current squad and new additions, and reconcile ourselves with the fact that ultimately we may still go down but it’s just one blip in the much brighter future of our club.
Still reckon we will beat Watford and ultimately get out of it though.
captainmarvel
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:45 AM
Comment #36As the lad is from New Zealand perhaps he would bring the Haka into the pre-match entertainment?
Just joking of course, but I do think this is a shrewd move by the club which should lift the gloom..
SuperShearer
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:45 AM
Comment #37@Zorro – you need to calm down mate. The owners have been here all of what, 4 months? We had 14 years of Mike Ashley and for many, he’s the only owner they really remember. But to be saying that they’re getting it all wrong, that we’re “clueless” is a stretch.
Their main, if ONLY focus right now it to keep us in the PL. Everything else beyond that is too far away to even consider.
But here is why they are being smart – the three key signings they’ve made so far: Howe, Trippier and Wood are insurances for two things:
1. They could get us out of relegation as they have either the quality or experience to do so.
2. IF we go down which is highly likely, they will all have the ability to get us back up.
Cheer up mate, look at the longterm future, not the short-term. We will be okay one way or another.
Zele
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:45 AM
Comment #38The signing of Wood can be seen as:
Pragmatic by supporters of the current regime given the current situation.
Desperation by those who don’t support the current regime or club.
Has he moved to enhance his career or his pocket ? Not a difficult question.
Will he save us ? On his own, unlikely. With others, possibly.
Adamn_92
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:46 AM
Comment #39TDS
You said it yourself, those examples has sentimental value to the club they stayed at. Wood has none with Burnley, i’m sure he’s enjoyed his time there and will thank them and grew fond of the area and club. But at the end of the day he has no connection to the area or club. So it’s either waste a golden opportunity you may not get again, or stay at a club which plod along fighting not to get relegated year after year. Not to mention there new owners already seem very questionable and the future of the club may not be looking too peachy.
JP...from The Rock
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:46 AM
Comment #40If we could bring in…
Botman or Badiashile,
Diego Carlos
Cantwell
Ekitike
Zakaria
It will gurantee safety and give us a strong foundation to improve on in the summer.