Last summer, it was well-documented that Hugo Ekitike’s representatives went cold on a move to Newcastle United after an initial agreement, seeing him sign for PSG instead.
18 months later, it’s been reported this morning that we’ve reignited our interest in the striker and are ‘exploring’ a January loan move that could include an option to buy the 21-year-old at the end of the season.
This comes from Graeme Bailey at 90min, who happens to be the journalist who was first to reveal our interest in the forward way back in January 2022. Some doubt the credibility of his reports, but it seems he has a good link to Ekitike.
The piece states that he’s ‘free to leave’ the Ligue 1 giants in January and is keen on a Premier League move, with Crystal Palace and West Ham also showing interest alongside Newcastle.
With Wilson out for six weeks and Isak our only fit striker, it makes some sense to look at a former target who we were clearly very keen on signing 12-18 months ago. However, fans weren’t impressed by the way his camp handled the situation last summer and his career has stalled since arriving in Paris.
He started 12 times in Ligue 1 last year and has just eight minutes to his name this season, meaning he’d be coming in from the cold with a lot to prove after snubbing us last summer.
Newcastle exploring January move for a forward and former target Hugo Ekitike, available for loan, could be an option. @90min_Football https://t.co/mNLDLmaARP
— Graeme Bailey (@GraemeBailey) November 17, 2023
Leave him where he is!Snubbed us once he should not get another chance.
Jonboy(Quote)