According to FootMercato, PSG are readying a mammoth offer of €45m (£38m) for Reims striker Hugo Ekitike.
Ekitike is one of the hottest properties in Europe at the moment. The article states that Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United are also keen on the young Frenchman, but according to a recent report by The Telegraph, Ekitike was expected to join Newcastle United this summer.
A move to St James’ Park has long been rumoured for Ekitike and a fee had reportedly been agreed, but this approach from PSG could complicate things.
Not only are PSG one of the only clubs on the planet who can rival Newcastle financially, as a sporting project, this will be tough for Ekitike to turn down.
Born in France, a move to Paris may be alluring for the striker for personal reasons, and with all due respect to Newcastle United, most players would choose playing with Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi over Allan Saint-Maximin and Ryan Fraser.
However, one thing that could play into Newcastle’s hands is guaranteed gametime.
At the age of just 19, Ekitike will want to be playing football, but at PSG, minutes would be far from guaranteed.
Messi, Mbappe and Neymar are all unlikely to be displaced in the squad, and that’s before we even begin to think about Mauro Icardi.
Meanwhile, at Newcastle, Ekitike shouldn’t have a tough time usurping either Callum Wilson or Chris Wood. After all, he is a ‘special’ player who is being courted by PSG, Dortmund and Manchester United.
Ekitike was expected to sign for Newcastle this summer, but PSG’s interest could now complicate things.
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