PSG are expected to finalise a deal for Reims striker Hugo Ektike in the coming hours, according to reports. Newcastle United were embroiled in a transfer saga for the 20-year-old that stretched back to January.
Toon chiefs were knocked back by Ekitike on deadline day six months ago but renewed their interest after securing Premier League survival. However, another snub came last month despite a deal being agreed with Reims.
The French U20 international - who enjoyed his first season as a professional in 2021-22 - is now expected to join the Ligue 1 champions. A star-studded dressing room will see him compete against Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar for a place in the PSG line-up.
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Ekitike will reportedly cost the Parisians €35million plus add-ons and will not be immediately loaned back to his boyhood club. Reports on the continent claim a medical is scheduled ahead of a big-money move.
Failure to land the 20-year-old is the first major setback in the transfer market for Newcastle’s ambitious regime. Outmuscling AC Milan to sign Sven Botman was a coup but the Magpies have ultimately come up short in their pursuit of Ekitike.
Lessons can be learned from their failure to land the youngster. It could be said Ekitike’s agent, Karl Mwalako Buchmann, used United’s interest as a bargaining tool to secure a more favourable move - a position the new owners will be wary of being roped into again.
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