PSG have reportedly opened initial talks for Stade de Reims star Hugo Ekitike, with the news coming just a few weeks after Newcastle United came within days of signing the 20-year-old striker.
According to RMC Sport the Ligue 1 giants are in regular contact with the attacker’s entourage, with PSG keen to sign Ekitike this summer as talks between the French side and Saussolo star Gianluca Scamacca have stalled in recent days.
PSG were reportedly set to sign the Italian international, however, a deal has failed to make any progress this week, forcing the European titans to make insurance plans, with Ekitike seemingly an option for new sporting director Luis Campos and manager Christophe Galtier.
As per reports, the Magpies came close to agreeing a £30m deal with Reims for Ekitike, yet as we know, the transfer completely broke down despite the striker coming within days of becoming a Newcastle player and one of Eddie Howe’s best additions yet for the Toon.
Indeed, Ekitike has been labelled as a ‘special’ player after a breakout year in Ligue 1, with some top sides in Europe eyeing the 20-year-old wonderkid, yet it was always Newcastle who looked the most likely to sign the attacker given their long-standing interest in the youngster.
Ekitike was targeted by Newcastle in January, yet just like this summer, a deal to bring the forward to the northeast collapsed, and now PSG look like the strong favourites to sign the French youngster if they can play their cards right in the coming weeks.
PSG signing Ekitike would be a huge coup for Galtier
Galtier has a huge job on his hands with PSG, with the talented French coach tasked with rebuilding one of Europe’s best squads and aiming to bring the UEFA Champions League to Paris for the first time in their history, and signing Ekitike could be a great first step for the new boss.
Indeed, Ekitike has the potential to become a superstar, and training and learning alongside the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar would be the best possible learning experience for the French youth international, who seems to be open to joining PSG this summer.
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