The Newcastle United Blog

Written by Neil Harrison

1:28pm Friday, June 17th, 2022

Commented 192 times

Despite claims from France that Hugo Ekitike is stalling his proposed move to Newcastle, local reports remain somewhat more upbeat. In fact, there is an update from Sky Sports today that the transfer could be completed soon.

Keith Downie is reporting that personal terms are close to being agreed on. If that happens, the 19-year-old would then fly to Newcastle for a medical next week.

Personal terms are close to being agreed with Hugo Ekitike ahead of his proposed move to Newcastle, according to @skysports_sheth. If teems can be agreed it’s hoped he can travel to Tyneside for medical & to complete move next week. Ekitike currently having some time off #NUFC
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) June 17, 2022

It’s becoming unhealthy to put too much stock in any one report at the moment. That is the same with updates on Sven Botman. Both sagas have swung like a pendulum over the past few weeks.

The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards has responded to this recent update. He doesn’t believe anything has fundamentally changed on either Ekitike or Botman. Though he does believe both players are keen to join.

It’s been close to being agreed for more than a week. It’s just about time it was actually done. The player is happy to come to #nufc. With Botman the problem, again, hasn’t been with the player, it’s been Lille raising the asking price
— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) June 17, 2022

Time will tell whether Ekitike or Botman will finally arrive at Newcastle. At this point, it may be best to wait until we get some stealthy photographs of the players arriving for medicals before getting too excited.

192 comments so far

WLtoon
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:29 PM
Comment #1
Wasn`t there an article last weekend that Ekitke could be on a plane to fly in for a medical within hours of that same article being released.
Still looking for that plane, it must be flying via MarsJet if it`s taken longer than 7 days to get here
7
ottawageordie2
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:30 PM
Comment #2
Move on!
1
Seaside Toon
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:30 PM
Comment #3
I call it a first
0
Seaside Toon
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:31 PM
Comment #4
Maybe not ha ha
0
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:33 PM
Comment #5
So with Ekitike the issue is with his agent shopping for a better deal with a bigger club, whereas with Botman the issue is with Lille raising the price.
Would be delighted to have both lads join as they’re top talents and I suspect we’ll end up signing Ekitike and possibly walking from Botman unless Lille play ball.
It’s heartening to have confirmation that both actually want to join the club though – scant consolation if neither of them actually join though haha
5
carltoon
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:34 PM
Comment #6
carltoon
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:32 PM
Comment #70
Mund! Hope Sky are right,
Not bothered if we don’t get him or Botam.
Some of the, “the club will look bad”
My god short memories.
8
carltoon
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:35 PM
Comment #7
Glad your all getting some sunshine, it’s been roasting everywhere we’ve been,
1
Seaside Toon
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:36 PM
Comment #8
We are all supporters waiting for things to happen/ players over the line, the best thing Wor Amanda is doing plus Dan and Eddie, is keeping tight lipped, give the media nothing to clutch at, we will have a great squad before August
12
Tyran21
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:37 PM
Comment #9
repost for WLtoon
That was a minor mistake by Dr Ed, if you missed the apology from Neil. Sometimes it’s hard to go through so many tweets and got tricked by the date it was posted.
3
carltoon
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:37 PM
Comment #10
I’ll be home Friday.
Just in time for all the incoming players.
1
carltoon
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:38 PM
Comment #11
Seaside toon, EXACTLY!
1
WLtoon
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:38 PM
Comment #12
Tyran, from prev
I didn`t see Ed`s apology re the Ekitike medical, i make no apologies though mate, i don`t always have time to catch up.
0
Adamn_92
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:42 PM
Comment #13
Carltoon
I’ve explained multiple times this morning that it is purely just the Botman and Ekitike deals that would be a bit of an ‘egg on face’ moment. As they would be 2 deals we couldn’t do on 2 different occasions.
I by no means am suggesting the club overall looks bad or are doing anything wrong. Certainly not forgetting how far we’ve come either and am extremely grateful for where we are now and excited for the future.
11
Not another deJong
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:43 PM
Comment #14
“What day is it?”
Hot summer days are beginning to roll into one another, Tweets from January get reposted as the latest news, the new season and the return of regularity are still months away.
Time to lay down in the long grass, watch ‘little fluffy clouds’ and be…..
0
hibbit
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:46 PM
Comment #15
Hi all
just to let you know not all the UK is basking in sunshine today,
https://www.visitcumbria.com/keswick/
4
Not another deJong
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:46 PM
Comment #16
#routine
We don’t want to be teased and tortured, we want to watch matches and be triumphant. But we shall have to wait.
0
Davas
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:50 PM
Comment #17
Who knows what is the truth and I’ll just wait till something concrete happens on any player but, I know some have strong opinions about Luke Edwards, if either of the things are true about Ekitike then I’d be I’d be more inclined to think it was LE’s take. I just find it hard to believe that at this stage personal terms wouldn’t have been sorted.
1
Toon Sufferer
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:51 PM
Comment #18
Anybody else think Et the teacake looks like E.T with an early 2000’s Craig David wig on ?
0
Assassins Inc
Jun 17, 2022 at 1:51 PM
Comment #19
Let’s be honest here, we’ve been linked with half the planet, all these news reports are not really reports just some fishing for people to talk about.
When Ed and Neil show the car park / parking lot photo of a player that’s when we will 100% know why they are here.
Until that happens I’m going to take a stab at journalism thing, reports are Newcastle are signing Kevin De Bruyne, Salah, Mane, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
Well that wasn’t to bad, didn’t get tired writing that.
3
Toon Sufferer
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:01 PM
Comment #20
I know if Et the teacake and Botman (can’t make fun of that name haha) and play well all this bull will be forgiven but if they mug us off I’ll despise them forevermore lol!
0
Toon Sufferer
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:03 PM
Comment #21
Apologies I was supposed to put *sign after the close bracket.
0
Rotonda heights
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:04 PM
Comment #22
Not thrilled that Ashworth blew off Bazunu over 15M and not being a guaranteed starter. 15M would be peanuts for this guy who is also happy with the ball at his feet. Should have been a starter for us. Pope is 30, much more expensive and is not comfortable in distribution, hence the hoof ball at Burnley. Seems very short sighted that Soto have beaten us to this class act Bazunu.
7
valle
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:10 PM
Comment #23
Rotonda… I think Howe has a rule, that no signing is promised guaranteed football. Byt yah, too bad Southampton will get Bazunu.
1
Jamie Lowings
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:11 PM
Comment #24
Ill be happier when the new season starts, to be honest
2
Mister Tuff
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:22 PM
Comment #25
Just been watching that brace of goals by Bruno against Leicester. That diving header at the end still gives me the shivers -absolutely tremendous.
9
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:23 PM
Comment #26
WOR B
SirRhosis
Peter would be welcomed into rural Northumberland with open arms.
But I suspect he’s more of a Gosforth / Jesmond / Ponteland type of guy though..
Hmm too much knowledge there, which of my siblings are you?
0
Mund
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:25 PM
Comment #27
So many conflicting reports…
Tells me one thing they don’t have a clue.
Downie is on it and that tells me something is close
Andy Sixsmith
@SixsmithTV
·
53m
As reported elsewhere, #NUFC close to completing the signing of striker Hugo Ekitike. A player the club & Eddie Howe has chased for a while – and a very special player too… Newcastle’s transfer business now expected to ramp up over the next few weeks.
1
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:27 PM
Comment #28
WLTOON, just entering Mars orbit, will look out for an Air France/KLM aircraft.
0
Mund
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:28 PM
Comment #29
https://mobile.twitter.com/NUFC360/status/1537788881654927360
2
Mund
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:33 PM
Comment #30
carltoon
IMO the owners will never look bad or have egg on their face no matter what they do. They are trying their very best to take us to the top and along the way they will find moments difficult but if it was easy anybody would do it. They should be commended for their efforts so far.
5
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:33 PM
Comment #31
Took Pugalot out at 06:30 this morning. Perfect temperature.
0
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:34 PM
Comment #32
He demanded an extended walk
0
Mund
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:36 PM
Comment #33
Tuff
I’ll never forget that moment and one of my favourite moments of last season. I nearly passed out as jumped up and shouted Bruno non stop for about 10 seconds and then nearly fell over 😳 what a moment!
3
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:36 PM
Comment #34
I reckon I have more chance of seeing an aircraft in orbit around Mars than the Palindrome and the Cyberman in Toon.
Full stop just for Tuff.
0
Raj of Hailsley
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:40 PM
Comment #35
Instead of being hazy in York I’m perfectly sober in Carlisle 😕
0
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:40 PM
Comment #36
Juxtaposition England cricket with Toon.
Pathetic, only scored 498 in 50 over ODI. Pah, now only have top 3 scores ever, in internationals, in this format. Netherlands, Australia and Pakistan were our victims.
Sack the lot of them.
I do enjoy the high expectations we sometimes have 🙂
0
Raj of Hailsley
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:42 PM
Comment #37
M6 closed and me and the guy dropping me off in Carlisle had an unmagical mystery tour being diverted back to the open part of the motorway 😕
1
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:42 PM
Comment #38
Personally, if we could 7th or 8th next season, that would make me happy.
4
SuperShearer
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:43 PM
Comment #39
This might sound stupid but given the journalist of this I take this as good news. In both Botman and Ekitike he is saying the players want to come, it’s either selling club or agents holding things up.
If the players want it that’s all that matters, at the end of the day they can start to push for it to happen.
4
Tyran21
Jun 17, 2022 at 2:48 PM
Comment #40
Mund
When you have media conflicting their own report………
2

1 2 3 … 5 Next »

You must log in to post a comment.

The following policies should be taken into consideration before commenting:

Personal insults and continually provoking other posters should be avoided
Comments on politics, religion, or controversial topics should be avoided. Political disputes will result in both participants being moderated.
Do not post streaming links to pirated matches or links to content on controversial topics
Physical threats will lead to a suspension or a ban
Revealing personal information about another poster without permission will result in a ban
Creating alternate accounts will result in an immediate ban of all accounts

17 February, 2023

I have an update on what's happening with my treatment for prostate cancer.

Last week, my oncologist called me late in the day and said he thought it was best to terminate my treatment with radium 223 dichloride because it was having such a negative effect on my health - specifically my digestive system.

I had completed 3 of the planned 6 infusions.

They had looked at the bone scans and three CAT scans I had early last week, and they showed no signs of the cancer spread being slowed or stopped: in fact, it was continuing to spread and my PSA account continued to rise.

The only treatment left now is to go back and have another bout of chemotherapy with docetaxel being the medication used.

I understand this will be a 7-month job with 10 sessions 3 weeks apart - almost double my first chemo treatment in Apil 2017, when I has 6 treatmnts.

The problem I have is that I'm in a very poor physical state right now, due to my digestive system being basically torn apart by the radium 223.

The radium 223 has leaked into my digestive system and caused me to have severe diarrhea, nausea, and heartburn, and it was (is) very serious.

They said it was too dangerous to proceed with the radium 223 treatment, with little benefit being shown.

I am also suffering from severe exhaustion, basically, because I have zero testosterone, and all the treatments I've had for the cancer, have further lessened the energy available to me.

It reminds me of the saying that if cancer doesn’t kill you - the treatment will (laugh).

It will probably take up to 8 weeks to get back to a physical state where I can start chemotherapy, and that's where I am now, but the cancer continues to spread in the bones.

I've also been put in touch with the dietitian from UNC Healthcare, who will help me get back my health - she is very helpful.

So that's where it stands it's been quite a journey over 12 years and I think I've had almost every treatment available.

It has really taken a toll on my body and on my energy, but that's where it stands and obviously, I'll do the best I can in the upcoming months with chemo and hope I can get through it.

It is as it is - and another challenge in life.

Ed Harrison