A big update has emerged on Newcastle United and their pursuit of Hugo Ekitike during the summer transfer window... 

What's the talk?

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Magpies are now in talks with the player's representatives and are hoping that they can seal a swoop for him in the coming days.

The reporter Tweeted: "New, positive contact between Hugo Ekitike’s agent and Newcastle. Deal back on track after agreement in place with Reims, but waiting on agent side. The injury wasn’t as bad as first thought. Newcastle are on it with player’s camp - this week expected to be important."

He then added: "More on Ekitike deal. Newcastle now hope to get the deal done this week after new contact with his agent - talks on player side will continue with all parties now confident again."

Eddie Howe will be excited

This news will surely leave the Toon head coach feeling excited by this news for multiple reasons.

Firstly, he will be looking forward to getting the deal done as early as this week. Securing a transfer at this point in the window will mean that the player has all of pre-season to adjust to life at the club and settle into how the manager wants to play next term.

Ekitike, if signed this week, will then be able to link up with his new teammates for the start of pre-season and this will give him the opportunity to build relationships that will help him on the pitch. He can get to know the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Allan Saint-Maximin and Ryan Fraser ahead of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign in order to help him hit the ground running when the real football starts.

Howe will also be excited to work with the gem as he is a talented young player who the head coach can work with in the next few years.

At the age of 19, he has plenty of development left to go through but he has already shown that he can make a big impact at senior level. In the 2021/22 campaign, he produced ten goals and three assists in 15 Ligue 1 starts for Stade Reims, showing that he can score goals on a regular basis.

Therefore, the Magpies boss will be buzzing to bring the Frenchman to Tyneside this week as he has the potential to be a significant player for the club next term if he is able to adapt to English football, which will be aided by the timing of this move.

AND in other news, Decision imminent: Romano drops "serious" update that'll leave NUFC supporters nervous...