Newcastle United's pursuit of Hugo Ekitike was one of the transfer sagas of 2022 never mind the recent summer transfer window. The young French forward turned down a move to St. James' Park despite the club agreeing a deal with Reims on two occasions.
The Magpies were reportedly told to provide the 20-year-old with assurances over his playing time, despite just one full season in Ligue 1. Even then, the 2021-22 campaign was one disrupted by injury, but Ekitike returned an impressive return of 11 goals in 26 appearances - enough to make PSG sit up and take note.
The youngster originally signed a loan deal with the French champions with an option-to-buy for a reported fee of €35 million. “I’m not setting aside everything Newcastle did for me,” Ekitike told Le10 Sport after signing for PSG. “If I had to go abroad, I would have gone there. But when PSG wants you and you’re French, you can’t refuse.”
