Here is your latest 4am Newcastle United transfer digest for June 8.
Ekitike set to leave
Former Newcastle United transfer target Hugo Ekitike could be sold by Paris Saint-Germain this summer - a year on from snubbing a move to the Magpies to join the French champions. That is according to French outlet RMC Sport, who claim Christophe Galtier's side are 'open to a departure' for the 20-year-old.
Eddie Howe twice attempted to bring Ekitike to St James' Park on the back of a breakout campaign at Reims. The young forward turned down a deadline day move in the mid-season window, but that did not deter Newcastle from having a second offer understood to be worth in excess of £30 million accepted in the summer.
However, the France youth international ultimately opted to join PSG on an initial season-long loan deal with an option to make the deal permanent. The Champions League outfit have recently reportedly exercised this option, but are now said to be open to offers for the forward.
Ekitike registered just four goals and four assists in 32 appearances in his debut season, having largely been used as a substitute to cover the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar. Howe, who unsurprisingly typically remains silent on transfer rumours, took the rare decision to acknowledge the club's interest last July.
The Newcastle head coach said: "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.
READ MORE: Newcastle's 'detailed' transfer budget process and Yasir Al-Rumayyan's impact on spending strategy
Pulisic decision
Christian Pulisic has endured a torrid time in recent seasons at Chelsea, and seems set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer. The USA international is set to enter the final year of his contract with the club, and has been unable to consistently deliver on his £58 million price tag.
Manchester United and a number of Serie A clubs have recently been linked with a move for Pulisic, while Newcastle are said to have made a tentative loan enquiry for the versatile attacker. However, the Athletic claim the Magpies have confirmed they have no interest in signing the 24-year-old this summer after being offered the player by the Blues.
Speaking while on international duty this week, Pulisic told reporters: “It’s been an interesting journey at the club level for me. I had what I thought was a great couple of years and the last couple of years just haven’t gone at all how I planned them to be.”
BACK IN THE BIG TIME: ORDER YOUR NUFC END-OF-SEASON SPECIAL HERE
