Newcastle’s €80m bid for Hugo Ekitike rejected – Sky Germany explain why

Newcastle United’s pursuit of Hugo Ekitike has taken a fresh twist, with a major update emerging early Tuesday afternoon that casts doubt over the club’s progress in sealing the high-profile transfer.

 

According to a report published by ESPN late Monday night, Newcastle appeared to be on the brink of finalising a significant deal worth €80 million (approximately £69.5 million) for the French forward. The deal was said to be nearing completion, with well-known agent Ali Barat reportedly handling the final negotiations to bring the transfer over the line.

 

However, a new development from Sky Germany on Tuesday suggests that the situation is not quite as straightforward as initially believed. In an exclusive update posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), trusted journalist Florian Plettenberg has revealed that Eintracht Frankfurt have officially turned down Newcastle’s €80 million written offer. The reason? It primarily comes down to the structure of the payment terms involved in the proposal.

 

While the exact breakdown of the deal hasn’t been made public, the rejection indicates that Frankfurt may be dissatisfied with how and when the payments would be made. It is likely they are seeking a more substantial portion of the fee to be paid up front rather than spread out over time. This is a common sticking point in big-money transfers, where selling clubs often prioritize immediate financial gain, especially if they’re planning reinvestments in the current window.

 

Plettenberg went further to say that Frankfurt’s sporting director, Markus Krösche, is holding firm in his stance and is pushing for a higher valuation of the 23-year-old striker. Interestingly, he also noted that there are other clubs who have “already signalled” a willingness to meet or even exceed Newcastle’s current offer.

 

That statement raises questions. If other clubs are truly prepared to pay more, why haven’t they submitted formal bids yet? It could be a strategic move from Frankfurt’s camp—a carefully crafted message aimed at creating pressure on Newcastle, either to sweeten their current offer or to act more swiftly to close the deal. It may even be an attempt to lure other interested clubs into the bidding process, sparking a potential auction for the in-demand forward.

 

Of course, the alternative is that the interest from other suitors is genuine and those clubs are waiting in the wings, ready to strike. If that’s the case, Newcastle’s transfer team may now be facing a race against time to get a revised deal done before competition intensifies.

 

With the Magpies having previously failed in two separate attempts to land Ekitike—once during his time at Reims and again during his brief stay at PSG—this could be a critical moment. Missing out on the talented attacker for a third time would be a bitter pill to swallow for Eddie Howe and his recruitment team, especially given how closely they’ve monitored his development.

 

Now, the focus shifts to Newcastle’s negotiation strategy. If they are serious about landing their long-term target, they must find a way to meet Frankfurt’s financial expectations without compromising their own budget. That likely means coming back to the table with a more attractive upfront payment or restructured offer that satisfies all parties involved.

 

Speed, clarity, and compromise will be essential if Newcastle want to ensure Ekitike finally makes the move to St. James’ Park this summer.