According to L’Equipe, Newcastle have reignited their interest in Hugo Ekitike and could make a third attempt to sign the young striker this summer.
They report that PSG are already looking to offload the 20-year-old after a disappointing first season in Paris, where he’s started just 11 times and bagged four goals and three assists across 27 appearances in all competitions.
Back in June last year, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Ekitike was close to signing a five-year deal on Tyneside after the club agreed to pay €30m – plus €5m add ons – for his services.
However, he stalled on the move following interest from PSG and ended up joining the Ligue 1 giants instead; only to spend most of the season on the bench behind Messi, Mbappe and Neymar, as many on Tyneside predicted.
Almost 12 months later, L’Equipe report that we are still interested in the 6ft 3′ forward, with Frankfurt, Juventus and AC Milan also keeping a close eye on his future.
PSG signed Ekitike on an initial loan which included an obligation to buy from Reims for £35m, so they may have to accept a swift loss on the France U20 star if they wish to get some of their money back.
Speaking last July, here’s what Eddie Howe had to say about the striker:
“It’s no secret that we really liked Hugo, and we worked hard to try to do that deal. He’s a very talented lad.
“We tried to sign him in January and again this summer, but it wasn’t to be. He has decided to go to PSG, and there are no hard feelings towards the lad. We wish him well.
“We thought he was a real talent and he could have done a really good job for us. But that’s football, that’s the transfer window.
“They are the teams we are competing against. There is no guarantee you will get your top targets, because if you believe they’re that good then so do other clubs.
“I have no hard feelings toward him and wish him well in the next phase of his career. I really do wish him luck, but it is an example of the types of clubs we’re competing with to try and improve our squad.
“It’s not as easy as people think it is and you’re going to miss out on targets and look at other options. I’ve done that before in my career and I’m sure it won’t be the last.”
That ship has sailed and can’t see us going in for him after getting Isak
Richard(Quote)
I’m sorry this is absolutely utter made up click bait rubbish. Why would we go back on for a striker that turned us down another absolutely terrible rumour sick of reading rubbish like this it’s good for one thing a good laugh none of it is plausible.
ToonRme(Quote)
Howe said the club “worked hard” to sign Ekitike last summer and that he “really likes” him as a player, insisting there were no hard feelings. It might be total rubbish, but stranger things have happened!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Only way I can see this happening is if the lad changes his agent as he was the reason he messed us about leading to us walking away.
He’s a total d***head and if Hugo keeps listening to him his career will be over before it starts.
People saying he turned us down need to look into that whole saga again as it didn’t happen, he even came out at the time and said he was dismayed at his agents demands and behaviour.
He wanted to sign we walked away from the ludicrous agent and his demands.
Porkpie(Quote)
I will be totally disappointed if we get him had his chance to come but went to the so called bigger club we want players that want to where our colours not the pound in his pockets
Riddell(Quote)
No. Just no. It may be the agent but for me he showed a mercenary attitude that won’t fit here. Personally I think we dodged a bullet, he’s not lived up to expectations on the pitch either
Jimbo72(Quote)