Former Newcastle United target keen on Premier League move amid West Ham interest

One of Newcastle United’s long-term transfer targets could finally be set to make a belated move to the Premier League.

France Under-21 international Hugo Ekitike was a reported target for the Magpies during their transfer window under the ownership of a PIF-led consortium. The young forward - then of Ligue 1 club Reims - looked set to move to Tyneside on the final day of the January 2022 window but rejected the opportunity to join Eddie Howe’s squad.

Despite that snub, United remained keen on Ekitike and looked to be closing in on a deal once again during the following summer - only to be met with further disappointment after the youngster opted to join Paris Saint-Germain on a season-long loan, before converting that into a permanent switch earlier this summer.

When asked if he regretted his move to PSG by Canal+, he replied: “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.”

Ekitike has struggled to make an impact with Newcastle’s Champions League group stage rivals, scoring just four goals and providing four assists in 33 appearances in all competitions and making just 14 starts during his time at the Parc des Princes.

However, Ekitike could now be handed a third chance to move to the Premier League after West Ham United’s attempts to strengthen their forward ranks reportedly led them to consider an approach to the reigning Ligue 1 champions during the January transfer window.

90Min have reported Ekitike is ‘high on their transfer radar’ after he was told he was not in PSG’s plans and would be free to leave the clubs should a suitable offer be received. He is far from the only option available to David Moyes as the Hammers are also said to be considering moves for Bayer Leverkusen star Adam Hlozek, AZ Alkmaar forward Vangelis Pavlidis and Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy.