‘Maybe’ - Ligue 1 director ponders Hugo Ekitike to Newcastle United transfer outcome

Stade de Reims director Mathieu Lacour wonders if Hugo Ekitike made the right choice in rejecting a move to Newcastle United.

The 21-year-old twice turned down a transfer to Tyneside in January and the summer last year, despite the Magpies agreeing a reported £26million deal with Reims.

Indeed, United struggled to negotiate with Ekitike’s representatives as they stalled and held out for a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

He went on to join the Ligue 1 champions on a season-long loan deal which converted into a permanent £29m switch this summer.

However, the move hasn’t gone to plan with Ekitike currently frozen out of PSG’s plans after they tried to offload him during the last transfer window.

While Premier League clubs West Ham United and Crystal Palace have reportedly shown interest in Ekitike, Newcastle have stayed clear of reigniting their interest.

After losing on the Frenchman, United broke their transfer record to sign Alexander Isak for £60million. The Sweden international has quickly established himself as one of the division’s deadliest strikers with 16 goals in 29 appearances.

And the form of Isak has made Lacour wonder if that could have been Ekitike instead.

“We never have as many scouts (visit us) as when we had Hugo Ekitike. We have never had so many clubs, (keen to sign one of our players),” Lacour recalls, speaking to Le Club des 5.

“It was amazing. (Moving to PSG) was his choice and that of his agent. Perhaps another project would have allowed him to express himself better.

“When I see Newcastle, who pushed hard in January and June, when you see today the way Isak is flourishing at Newcastle, perhaps we would be talking today about Hugo like we are about Isak.

“It’s his career choice. I’m not criticising what he did. He is French, and playing with Messi, Neymar and Mbappe…I can understand.”

Ekitike was left out of PSG’s Champions League squad and therefore missed the French club’s 4-1 defeat at St James’ Park earlier month.