£29m striker who rejected Newcastle United wanted by West Ham and Nottingham Forest

West Ham United and Nottingham Forest have reportedly expressed an interest in signing Paris Saint-Germain striker Hugo Ekitike.

The French giants are willing to part ways with the 21-year-old - just 12 months after he decided to join them over Newcastle United.

Ekitike twice turned down a move to St James’ Park in January and the summer last year, despite the Magpies agreeing a reported £26million fee with Stade de Reims. Discussions with the player’s representatives stalled as they held out for a move to PSG.

He eventually joined the Ligue 1 champions on a season-long loan deal, which included an obligation to buy at £29milliom.

Speaking after making the move, the France under-21 international said: “It is the choice of the heart! I’m French too, it’s the club of my homeland, of my country.

“And then it’s a club where the greatest players evolve, where there is a quality and experienced staff, the desire to win all the titles in all competitions.

“There is everything here for me to progress. All the ingredients are there, so it’s a logical choice for me to be here.

“Finally, I myself have family in the Paris region, and I have always followed Paris Saint-Germain. All this made my desire to join this club very natural. It’s the right choice for me to be here.

“I’m not setting aside everything Newcastle did for 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.”

The young forward scored four goals in 32 appearances last season but over half of those came off the bench. Ekitike’s attitude was supposedly questioned throughout the 2022-23 season.

And according to RMC Sport, PSG are hoping to sell Ekitike with Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham and Nottingham Forest credited with an interest.

Ekitike’s days in Paris do look to be number with the club closing in on a £69million deal for former Magpies target Goncalo Ramos from Benfica.