Former Newcastle United transfer target Hugo Ekitike could be sold by Paris Saint-Germain this summer - a year on from snubbing a move to the Magpies to join the French champions. That is according to French outlet RMC Sport, who claim Christophe Galtier's side are 'open to a departure' for the 20-year-old.
Eddie Howe twice attempted to bring Ekitike to St James' Park on the back of a breakout campaign at Reims. The young forward turned down a deadline day move in the mid-season window, but that did not deter Newcastle from having a second offer understood to be worth in excess of £30 million accepted in the summer.
However, the France youth international ultimately opted to join PSG on an initial season-long loan deal with an option to make the deal permanent. The Champions League outfit have recently reportedly exercised this option, but are now said to be open to offers for the forward.
Ekitike registered just four goals and four assists in 32 appearances in his debut season, having largely been used as a substitute to cover the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar. Howe, who unsurprisingly typically remains silent on transfer rumours, took the rare decision to acknowledge the club's interest last July.
READ MORE: Newcastle's obvious yet tough call on FFP solution may have just been taken out of their hands
The Newcastle head coach said: "It’s no secret that we really liked Hugo and we worked hard to try and do that deal. He’s a very talented lad and he decided to go to PSG.
"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."
Upon signing for PSG last summer, Ekitike explained it was a 'choice of the heart', and argued he would have joined Newcastle had the French champions not made an approach. The young forward would later insist he had no regrets over the move in December, despite struggling to make an impact in his opening months in the capital.
Ekitike told Canal+: "No, I know why I came here. Of course, when you arrive in a club like this, there’s a lot of expectations. People expect performances, and if they don’t come, people will obviously ask questions.
"I play in a role where I’m always going to be questioned, because I came with a big transfer fee. I need to assume that, and that’s what I’m doing. It’s not a problem. If I play badly, I’ll be the first to admit it, and if I play well, I’ll be there too, and I will continue to be good."
BACK IN THE BIG TIME: ORDER YOUR NUFC END-OF-SEASON SPECIAL HERE
