Hugo Ekitike: Newcastle have Transfer Deadline Day bid accepted for Reims forward | Transfer Centre News
Newcastle have had a Deadline Day bid for Hugo Ekitike accepted by Stade Reims and are closing in on a loan deal for Aston Villa’s Matt Targett.
The France U20 forward was also being tracked by West Ham. Newcastle initially opened talks with Reims to sign Ekitike earlier this month prior to signing Chris Wood from Burnley.
Ekitike made his debut for Reims in August and has scored eight goals in 18 Ligue 1 appearances this season, registering three assists. The 19-year-old can also play on the left wing.
Newcastle are also closing in on a loan deal for Matt Targett. Eddie Howe is keen to add another left-back, and Targett has fallen out of favour under Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa.
Matt Targett is undergoing a Deadline Day medical with Newcastle
The two clubs are close to an agreement that will see the 26-year-old join until the summer.
Targett is keen on the move, and the talks are now focused on the option for Newcastle to buy the left-back in the summer.
The St James’ Park club are also on the verge of signing Brighton defender Dan Burn, who is set to travel to the North East to undergo a medical. Newcastle have had an offer of around £13m for Burn accepted by Brighton – after an earlier bid of £10m plus add-ons for Burn was rejected on Saturday.
The Magpies have wanted to sign a left-footed centre-back all window to partner Jamaal Lascelles.
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The Soccer Saturday team discuss whether the addition of Dan Burn to the Newcastle squad would be enough to help them escape relegation
Burn, 29 has entered the final 18 months of his Brighton contract. Burn, who joined Brighton from Wigan in 2018, can also play left-back. The Seagulls are extremely unlikely to sign a replacement centre-back this window.
Newcastle complete Guimares signing
Newcastle completed the signing of midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon for £40m on Sunday.
Guimaraes, 24, completed a medical in Brazil on Friday ahead of signing a contract until 2026.
Newcastle agreed a package of £33.3m plus around £6.5m in add-ons with French club Lyon to make the midfielder their third signing this January, following the arrivals of Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood.
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Newcastle have signed Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon for £40m – and you might be surprised to find out why he’s chosen to wear the No. 39 shirt…
The Magpies are spreading the payments over the next four years. They will pay Lyon around £3.25m if they stay up this season, with another £3.25m due if they stay up again next season.
There is no relegation release clause in the deal Newcastle have agreed with the player.
Newcastle head of recruitment Steve Nickson had travelled to Brazil to seal the signing of Guimaraes.
The midfielder will play for Brazil on Wednesday and will not be able to travel to the UK to meet his new team-mates and head coach Eddie Howe until Thursday at the earliest.
Arsenal were among a number of clubs interested in signing Guimaraes, who has also been watched closely by Manchester United and PSG.
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The clock is ticking. Who will be on the move before the transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday January 31?
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