Hugo Ekitike was a former transfer target for Newcastle United, although the French champions were unable in getting rid of him on deadline day.
Despite the Magpies and Stade de Reims agreeing to a rumored £26 million transfer fee, Ekitike twice declined a move to St James’ Park in January and the summer of last year. However, negotiations with the players’ agents came to a standstill since they insisted on going to PSG.
He eventually signed a season-long loan agreement with the Ligue 1 winners that featured a £29 million buy-out clause, but the move hasn’t gone as expected.
In the 2022–23 season, the youthful forward struggled to have an effect and his attitude was allegedly questioned. He scored four goals in 32 appearances, but more than half of those came off the bench.
Eintracht Frankfurt and Zenit Saint Petersburg made proposals to PSG on Friday, but Ekitike declined both. The 21-year-old allegedly just wanted to join Crystal Palace on loan, but PSG turned him down. Ekitike won’t likely play for PSG again as a result.
Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports News recounted what happened on deadline day. Hugo Ekitike has no future at this club, thus he must depart, PSG made it obvious, he stated.
“According to information we have received, the player was exclusively interested in joining Crystal Palace on loan; he had no other plans.
“So, PSG received a €35 million permanent offer from Frankfurt, and he responded, “I’m not interested. They were uninterested in a €40 million offer from Zenit St. Petersburg.PSG declined the loan deal from Crystal Palace because they didn’t want to send him to a Premier League team on loan. West Ham reportedly had interest in him as well.
“And now that the deadline has passed and he is still at PSG, the club has informed him that he will not play another minute for them.
The fact that some windows are still open gives him a way out. For example, I believe the opportunity is still open in Russia for another five to ten days. And if any Saudis are interested.
“I believe PSG will put a lot of effort into trying to get him out of the club during the next few days.
“This is only from the French side, not the Premier League clubs; he just wanted Palace on loan only, and that’s all he was interested in.”
In the group stage of the Champions League, Newcastle and PSG will clash.