Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot admits the rise of Hugo Ekitike has surprised the club.

Ekitike is on the brink of signing for Newcastle United.

“It's been years since [Reims Sporting Director] Mathieu Lacour told me that we had a nugget in store. Where I was surprised, like all supporters, was how quickly he emerged," Caillot said.

"So it's true, he was helped by the context because in fact he was fourth striker in the hierarchy and then the injury game also meant that he was able to show all his qualities.

“It also makes me smile today, because it sometimes seems that it would be the end of the Stade de Reims if he [Ekitike] were to leave us when a year ago, 90 per cent of the people [supporters] did not know him."