Eddie Howe has broken Newcastle United's silence on Paris St-Germain's new striker Hugo Ekitike - and admits that the young Frenchman was a player he was eager to sign.
The Newcastle boss - speaking from United's pre-season HQ in Austria - stated that the club had made big attempts to lure the 20-year-old to Tyneside but fell short. And PSG announced they'd landed the player on loan with a purchase option at the end of the season.
Newcastle are understood to have stayed in the hunt to sign the Reims youngster until the last couple of weeks before it became evident he'd held out for the 2020 Champions League runners-up.
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Howe said today: "It’s no secret that we really liked Hugo and we worked hard to try and do that deal. He’s a very talented lad and he decided to go to PSG.
"I have no hard feelings toward him and wish him well in the next phase of his career. I really do wish him luck.
“But it is an example of the types of clubs we’re competing with to try and improve our squad."
The Ekitike deal is typical of Newcastle's luck in the window so far with frustration creeping in for the Magpies after missing out on a couple of other targets.
He said: "It’s not as easy as people think it is and you’re going to miss out on targets and look at other options. I’ve done that before in my career and I’m sure it won’t be the last."
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