Striker who snubbed move to Newcastle United set for £14m summer transfer after fallout

Former Newcastle United transfer target Hugo Ekitike is set to find a new permanent home this summer.

Ekitike twice turned down a move to St James’ Park in January and the summer of 2022. The Magpies agreed a reported £26million fee with Stade de Reims but talks with the player’s representatives proved frustrating as they held out for a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

He eventually got his move to the Ligue 1 champions, joining on loan for the 2022-23 season before his move was made permanent last summer for an obligatory £29m.

Speaking about the move, Ekitike 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.”

However, the move hasn’t gone to plan at all. And with Newcastle fans feeling like they had been messed around by Ekitike and his agent, there is zero sympathy.

The 21-year-old was frozen out by PSG boss Luis Enrique at the beginning of the season. They tried their best to part ways last summer as both Eintracht Frankfurt and Zenit Saint Petersburg came forward, while there were also links to West Ham United and Crystal Palace, but he remained at the Parc des Princes.

Fast forward to January and PSG did manage to dispense of his services. Frankfurt finally got their man on loan until the end of the campaign including a £14m option to buy.

And according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Bundesliga outfit will trigger the clause with Ekitike making 11 appearance so far, although still awaiting his first goal.

Romano posted on X: “Eintracht Frankfurt plan has not changed: club want to trigger €16m buy option clause for Hugo Ekitike.

“Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to let him leave in the summer and Eintracht are happy with his potential, as called by @Djaameel_.”

Ekitike’s snub was likely a blessing in disguise. Newcastle went on to break their club record transfer fee for Alexander Isak, who has netted an impressive 31 goals in 61 outings.