AC Milan are now in talks with Hugo Ekitike.
That’s according to Gianluca Di Marzio, who reports that the Italian giants are the latest club to join the race to sign the Paris Saint-Germain youngster.
After looking set to join Newcastle United last year, Ekitike eventually arrived at PSG on loan from Reims with an obligation-to-buy. The French champions coughed up around £30 million for his signature this summer but are already eager to offload him.
Despite Ekitike making 25 appearances in Ligue 1 last season, he has since been made surplus to requirements which has put Everton on high alert.
The Toffees had reportedly already made an offer to PSG to snap up the Frenchman, however they failed with their bid as the club were hoping for a more significant buy option at the end of his loan deal.
While the ‘excellent’ 21-year-old is still on Everton’s radar, they are yet to make a second approach and have now been joined by a number of other teams in their pursuit.
AC Milan is the most recent, with the report claiming that the two parties are in talks over a loan move without the obligation to buy.
Stefano Pioli’s side expressed interest in Ekitike earlier this year and are now keen to finalise a move, but are also hopeful that PSG will contribute to some of his hefty wages.
West Ham and AC Milan could both lead Everton in their pursuit of Hugo Ekitike
While AC Milan could offer Champions League football to Ekitike, surely PSG would prefer to include the obligation to buy to guarantee their money back for their summer signing.
West Ham have already held positive talks with Luis Enrique’s side over a more lucrative offer for the winger, with L’Equipe reporting that they are prepared to include the €35m (£30m) clause at the end of his loan spell.
With a number of other European clubs fighting to sign Ekitike, it looks increasingly unlikely that Everton will land him this summer.