Hugo Ekitike: Reims confirm PSG agreement is less than Newcastle offer

Stade Reims have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain for the sale of striker Hugo Ekitike, but also revealed the French champions are paying less than what Newcastle offered for him.

Ekitike was close to joining Newcastle in the January transfer window, but the move fell through on deadline day.

The Magpies returned for the 20-year-old forward this summer and he was one of Eddie Howe's top transfer targets, ultimately agreeing a deal.

However, Newcastle refused to agree to terms with the player's agent and 90min revealed they backed away from the transfer.

PSG have pushed ahead with a deal for Ekitike after failing to agree terms with Sassuolo for striker Gianluca Scamacca - who West Ham have now moved for.

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Reims have now agreed a fee believed to be worth €30m plus add-ons, which will no doubt anger Newcastle who had agreed to a deal worth around €40m.

And Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot explained that although the fee PSG have offered is lower than Newcastle's, they could not stand in Ekitike's way.

"We didn't quite reach the sum offered by Newcastle but Hugo Ekitike has always been respectful towards the club," Caillot confirmed to l'Union.

"We are happy to allow him to fulfil his dream."