Former Newcastle United target Hugo Ekitike in line for shock Premier League move

Wolverhampton Wanderers are chasing former Newcastle United target Hugo Ekitike, according to reports.

A lengthy saga following the Saudi-backed takeover resulted in the Frenchman turning down two Newcastle advances. The first came on deadline day in January 2021 despite the Magpies agreeing a £25million fee with Reims.

Ekitike had enjoyed a fine breakout campaign in Ligue 1 and Toon chiefs were set to pin their Premier League survival hopes on the youngster. An injury ruled him out for much of the campaign after that but Newcastle returned with another approach in the summer.

However, the lengthy saga riled United fans, with many believing Ekitike’s agent, Karl Mwalako Buchmann, was using Newcastle as leverage in an attempt to join Paris Saint-Germain. This appeared to be confirmed by the Frenchman once he joined the Ligue 1 giants as he admitted to always wanting the PSG move.

“I had an appointment with Luis (Campos) which meant a lot for me,” he said at the time. “It was not so long ago. We talked a lot, he is someone I consider enormously. I wanted to come to PSG before this exchange but it convinced me even more.

“I don’t put aside everything Newcastle did to get me to come. If I had to go abroad, I would have gone there. But when PSG wants you and you’re French, you can’t refuse.”

But to suggest the PSG move has proven a disaster would be an understatement. Ekitike played second fiddle to superstar trio Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe last season, starting just 12 league games.

Two of the three left Paris in the summer but that has failed to improve his situation. New PSG boss Luis Enrique has frozen the 21-year-old out at the Parc des Princes, with him making just one appearance all season.

French outlet L’Equipe claim Wolves are now offering him an escape route and a second chance at playing in the Premier League. They reportedly face competition from Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg, who prefer a loan deal until the end of the season.