Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot has admitted that the Ligue 1 club will cash in on rumoured Tottenham target Hugo Ekitike this summer.
Ekitike has enjoyed a breakthrough season at the Stade Auguste Delaune, having found the back of the net 10 times in all competitions so far (Transfermakrt).
Gazzetta dello Sport (28/03/22 via Sport Witness) revealed last month that Spurs were keen on snapping up the 19-year-old but added they were facing competition from several of their Premier League rivals, including the likes of Arsenal and West Ham.
French publication But Football reported two weeks ago that Newcastle United were leading the race to land the centre-forward, with the Magpies said to view the teenager as a ‘top priority’ in the summer.
The report also claimed that Eddie Howe’s side had an offer for the striker rejected in January.
Caillot has now confirmed the Ligue 1 club did turn down a substantial offer for Ekitike in January and added that they would not stop him from leaving at the end of the season.
The Reims president told Europa One: “In Hugo’s case, he would his waste time staying with us. We refused an offer of 35 million euros this winter, which is a lot of money for a club like ours.
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“That money will be used to grow and improve the club. Hugo will be allowed to go, and he’s probably going to leave. There wasn’t a big club that didn’t inquire for him.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I can see the merit in Spurs going for a young up and coming striker like Ekiteke or Martin Satriano as they would be open to playing second fiddle to Kane and learning from the England captain for the next couple of years.
However, Conte is clearly focused on the here and now rather than building for the future, which is why the Italian could be demanding an attacker like Lautaro Martinez, who would instantly improve the side.
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