Hugo Ekitike has spoken out about interest from Newcastle United after sealing a summer move to PSG instead.
The 20-year-old admits that, if he had to join a club outside of France, he “would have” signed at St James’ Park – pouring cold water on claims he wasn’t interest in the move.
However, he insists that PSG was an offer he could not refuse as a young Frenchman handed the opportunity to play for the biggest club in his country. He may struggle for game time when his competition is currently Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, but it’s easy to see why he was tempted.
Ekitike also credits Newcastle for “everything” they did to try and bring him to Tyneside, speaking like a player who would’ve been happy to sign had the Ligue 1 giants not hijacked our deal.
Here’s what he told Le10 Sport when asked about our interest:
“I’m not setting aside everything Newcastle did for me to come.
“If I had to go abroad, I would have gone there.
“But when PSG wants you and you’re French, you can’t refuse.”
“I’m not afraid of anything. PSG is the biggest club in France, but also in the world.
“From the moment you are ambitious, why proceed in stages?”
Hard to argue with this, yet frustrating to hear, as it seems we could’ve finally got our man had PSG not made a late move.
Who knows, he may just be available next summer if the French giants don’t take up their ‘option to buy’ at the end of his 12 month loan from Reims…
Can’t blame the kid & no hard feelings for me.
He’ll know he’s likely to get little game time there this season, but training with the likes of Messi, Neymar & Mbappe – at 20 he can almost write off a season playing to learn from those players.
Messi & Neymar are 30 plus. I expect Messi to retire or move back to South America at the end of this season – maybe even UAE after the WC.
Regardless, I don’t think anyone in Ekitikes shoes would have done any different.
Sharpy17(Quote)
And we believe him…..because?
Daveys **** mate(Quote)