The Newcastle United Blog

Written by Neil Harrison

12:47pm Tuesday, June 21st, 2022

Commented 172 times

One of the most frustrating aspects of this window is breaking news from reports that directly contradict each other. Newcastle’s pursuits of both Hugo Ekitike and Sven Botman have been rife with pendulum swings.

Again this morning there are disparate claims regarding Hugo Ekitike. Lee Ryder reported that talks have progressed between NUFC sporting director Dan Ashworth and Ekitike’s agent over the past few days.

He added that staff was on standby for the player’s arrival should a breakthrough be reached. The hold-up is down to agents’ fees. By Ryder’s account, the 20-year-old is pushing to get the deal sorted.

The latest from The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards paints a far different and darker picture. Edwards is reporting the lines of communication have gone silent with no contact in the past week.

There are fears inside St. James’ Park that the Frenchman doesn’t want the move as calls have not been returned. Newcastle have, however, reached a full agreement with Reims for an initial payment of £12m rising to £26m.

The update on Botman is only slightly less worrying. Lille have refused to come down from their increased demands. A few weeks ago, Edwards revealed Lille raised the asking price to £37m after weeks of negotiating a £30m fee.

Botman, who is also on holiday, is keen on the move. AC Milan have not even matched Newcastle’s offer of £30m so appear to be out of the running at this stage. Botman is currently waiting on a bid to be accepted.

There are claims from France that Lille’s owners have grown frustrated with the lack of player sales. This has put president Olivier Letang’s job in jeopardy. Whether this impacts the club’s stance on Botman’s valuation remains to be seen.

Newcastle have now moved on to other options at both striker and center-back according to Edwards. They simply cannot expend any more energy on these two targets with preseason just around the corner.

Time will tell what happens moving forward. As Mehrdad Ghodoussi tweeted to a frustrated fan last week, ‘Patience is a virtue’.

172 comments so far

niafron
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:21 PM
Comment #121
Well lads, believe me, being a NUFC fan in France isn’t easy… always got to fight against cliché…
2
lesh
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:23 PM
Comment #122
Cleveleys
There’s no mistake, you’ve got your creative head on today.
They’ll be asking you to write the UK’s next Eurovision entry.
0
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:23 PM
Comment #123
Niafron, things are about to change Bonny lad, buckle up and enjoy the ride. 🙂
1
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:24 PM
Comment #124
Lesh, problem is I’ll be back to turnip head tomorrow!! 😉
0
lesh
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:26 PM
Comment #125
Cleveleys
Real talent never goes away.
0
CLINT FLICK
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:27 PM
Comment #126
Eeee!
Them Norman’s have got a Gaul!
😀
4
cleveleysbob
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:28 PM
Comment #127
We’ll I’ve spent nearly all afternoon on here, better go do some food prep or we’ll starve in the Cleveleys household tonight.
Not recommended as I’ll likely get slapped by one of Bills kippers if there’s nowt on the table for ‘er indoors. 😉
Laters.
4
Bills Son Is Back
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:29 PM
Comment #128
If Pope signs we’ll the full set…
God (Bruno)…
We’d be blessed for sure.
3
CLINT FLICK
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:31 PM
Comment #129
Good lad cbob!
Build something nice for her.
1
Davas
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:31 PM
Comment #130
Clint
They’ve got Wisdom though 🙂
1
The Mighty Quinn
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:31 PM
Comment #131
Bills it would have been even better if we’d signed Jesus.
4
CLINT FLICK
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:32 PM
Comment #132
Dav
Aye nate
0
CLINT FLICK
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:32 PM
Comment #133
*Mate
0
CLINT FLICK
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:33 PM
Comment #134
Quinny
Nice!
Quick!
😀
1
CLINT FLICK
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:34 PM
Comment #135
We probably could do with a Mohammed, too.
😀
1
CLINT FLICK
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:36 PM
Comment #136
https://www.hammers.news/transfer-news/newcastle-now-trying-to-sign-yet-another-west-ham-target-claims-dharmesh-sheth-on-sky-sports/
If ya like?
😀
😀
😀
3
captainmarvel
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:41 PM
Comment #137
Best wishes Tom. I hope you feel relieved after that scare. I also hope you will feel a lot better soon..
0
Davas
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:42 PM
Comment #138
What is it with West Ham fans. In an article I read yesterday it said he was advised by another player to pick them over us but there is absolutely no mention of us in the players quotes. Just more bs.
4
CLINT FLICK
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:43 PM
Comment #139
Tom
Ya alreet mate?
You out of hospital?
Feeling any better?
1
CLINT FLICK
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:46 PM
Comment #140
Davas
Bothered, or what?
I guess they see us as most likely to usurp their one decentish season in one million years, and feeling the pressure to stay top, whatever they ended up?
They finished pretty crap, didn’t they?
3
Tinos Vino
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:49 PM
Comment #141
Afternoon all. On Pope its a no brainer. he survived in a bad Burnley squad. I think give him some better quality just in front of him and he will shine. Wild idea do you think we could just give them Wood back as a trade 🙂
2
phy
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:50 PM
Comment #142
Davas,
Sums it up perfectly, so little being said about Botman that my phone default to Norman. 😉
0
Novocastrian66
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:51 PM
Comment #143
Niafron; you say cliché, I say la méconnaissance.
1
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:52 PM
Comment #144
Chron reporting
Hugo Ekitike prepared to cut holiday short to secure Newcastle move as staff wait for green light
3
jezza442
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:52 PM
Comment #145
I don’t check on other fans blogs,if anyone has a heads up on what West ham or any other fans think of these stories, I’d be interested to know.
Their blogs are probably just like this one,bombarded with B/S reports by wannabe journalists, and their fans are probably just as sick of the rubbish they churn out everyday,
Since when have West ham been after Ekitke and Botman for Bruno sake
5
niafron
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:57 PM
Comment #146
@Novocastrian66
Yes, sure.
1
Mister Tuff
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:58 PM
Comment #147
So Lesh wants to poison fellow posters with Warfarin (also used as rat poison).
Disgraceful comments .
20
Tinos Vino
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:58 PM
Comment #148
in fairness to Wet Spam we are a real threat to them i can see why their fans would be getting their knickers in a twist. they have been knocking on the door of CL and been in Europe the last few seasons. they don’t need the competition
1
niafron
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:58 PM
Comment #149
On the french side about Ekitiké: the Real and the Bayern could have some interest for the player…
0
Mund
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:59 PM
Comment #150
The Athletic UK
@TheAthleticUK
Newcastle United have agreed a fee in principle for Nick Pope with Burnley, The Athletic understands. #NUFC
2
niafron
Jun 21, 2022 at 4:59 PM
Comment #151
According to l’Equipe.
0
CLINT FLICK
Jun 21, 2022 at 5:00 PM
Comment #152
Maybe we’re gonna nick pope from west ham, too?
Tino
But we’d probably have to take another burnley player to make up the short fall, if we swapped Wood?
😀
1
Mund
Jun 21, 2022 at 5:01 PM
Comment #153
Pope to under go a medical then sign next week…
Will we have a triple announcement…?
1
lesh
Jun 21, 2022 at 5:01 PM
Comment #154
Tuff
It looks as though I’ve mis-spelled the treatment TOM was prescribed.
You should know better than to have suggested I was suggesting rat poison but, no surprise – that’s your natural nasty side coming out.
3
Darnik
Jun 21, 2022 at 5:01 PM
Comment #155
Clint
West ham fans say we’re obsessed ycmiu, most of the players mentioned have been our targets for ages only the Moroccan fella that wasn’t and I don’t even believe we were in for him, Ekitike and Botman I don’t recall any stories dating back to January about them and West ham, typical English media making stories of nothing and them muppets believing them imo
4
Tinos Vino
Jun 21, 2022 at 5:04 PM
Comment #156
Clint I think the wood money is already written off . Was the price of survival 🙂 Pope will be going all out for the World Cup too after Ramsdales horror show against Hungary
3
Samantha Gardner
Jun 21, 2022 at 5:04 PM
Comment #157
I’m thinking if Ekitike, Botman and Pope are signed we will get one more for the first team and two more youngsters for the academy
2
CLINT FLICK
Jun 21, 2022 at 5:05 PM
Comment #158
Darnik
Yes mate, the press just trying to build some hate between fans. Pretty ugly, hey?
I reckon you and jezza are on the money there, Like.
2
Tinos Vino
Jun 21, 2022 at 5:05 PM
Comment #159
And we need back up/ competition. Has Dubs ever made it through a full season un injured?
1
Assassins Inc
Jun 21, 2022 at 5:06 PM
Comment #160
Remember Jan Window, linked with everyone.
Then Howe and the gang slipped in five players, none we were really linked with to be honest.
The only ones that know what’s going on are the people behind the doors at Newcastle. Ignore all these idiot Journo’s out on there fishing trips.
5

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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