Goalkeeper reveals Newcastle United rejection decision as Hugo Ekitike transfer chase explained

Newcastle United are back in action this weekend after last weekend’s match was called off.

The Magpies saw last weekend’s fixture postponed due to the Queen’s death, but they return to action this week, albeit briefly.

Eddie Howe’s men face Bournemouth on Saturday, and that will be the final clash before the international break.

Newcastle need to turn draws into wins if they want to compete in the top half this season, and a home win against the newly promoted Cherries will be expected.

In the meantime, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding St James’ Park.

Ekitike rejection

It seems Newcastle were rejected by in-demand striker Hugo Ekitike in the summer.

According to Le10Sport, the Stade Reims striker, who was linked with a number of teams in the summer, actually snubbed Newcastle.

It’s believed Ekitike would have switched to the Magpies had Paris Saint-Germain not joined the race.

PSG’s presence caused Ekitike to send Newcastle on their way, and that resulted in the signing of Alexander Isak.

Though, as far as the striker is concerned, he certainly would have seen more regular football at St James’ Park.

Foster revelation

Speaking of rejections, Ben Foster has revealed he also rejected a move to Newcastle this season.

The Magpies needed more depth at goalkeeper, with Karl Darlow suffering injury, and in the end, Losis Karius was snapped up.

But veteran keeper revealed he was first offered a deal ahead of deciding to retire.

“Deep down I didn’t want to do it [turn down Newcastle],” he said on the Fozcast.

“It sounds mad and it’s such a hard thing to explain because there’ll be millions of people up and down the country that will say ‘you’ve just been offered a contract, a really good contract, by the richest team in the world to go and be second-choice goalkeeper and be part of something’.

“But I just didn’t want to do it, I had this deep feeling, and the wrench of it was that I’d have to move away from home, that would kill me.

“If I’m in an apartment in Newcastle by myself, away from my family, I don’t think people can understand. That’s hard to do, especially at the age I am and with everything else I’ve got going on.

“I know for a fact if I’d have gone there I’d have had an amazing time, the lads would have been absolutely brilliant and I’d have buzzed off the stadium, the fans, all that kind of stuff, but the overriding sinking feeling was ‘I don’t want to do this.’”

Howe’s thoughts

Howe is relishing a clash with his old side Bournemouth this weekend, offering kind words to his former club.

“I personally feel a huge sense of gratitude to the club and everyone connected with it,” Howe said.

“I wouldn’t be sat here now if it wasn’t for AFC Bournemouth. We’ll be competing to win the game and are desperate to do so but it will be a special game for us.”