'Unhappy' PSG forward could be set for Premier League summer transfer

20 Apr 2023 18:06 BST
2 min read

Paris Saint-Germain are expecting a heavy restructure of their frontline this summer, with doubts lying over the futures of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.

Messi is out of contract at the end of the season and looks set to leave PSG, with former club Barcelona circling, while Mbappe will have one year remaining on his deal and is a long-term target of Real Madrid.

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With speculation also rife about Neymar’s future, PSG cannot afford to lose more attackers, however they could end up selling another forward in the form of a forgotten man who they, technically, have yet to even officially sign.

OFFER: Barca finalising contract for Messi

PSG believed they had pulled off a coup by signing Hugo Ekitike from Reims last year in a loan deal which will become permanent this summer for a fee of €35 million.

The 20-year-old is considered one of the brightest prospects in France, having scored ten Ligue 1 goals last season and he rejected an approach from Newcastle for a dream move to Paris, however the transfer has become somewhat of a nightmare for Ekitike.

While the gangly forward was knowingly brought in as a backup to PSG’s big-name trio, Ekitike has only made eight league starts this season and scored just four goals in all competitions, prompting talk that he could already be sold again this summer.

Why it could be third time lucky for Ekitike and Newcastle

Ekitike’s last start came in the 3-1 loss to Monaco in Feburary and he has made just five appearances since, with manager Christophe Galtier admitting the player is ‘unhappy’ in Paris despite insisting there is ‘no problem’ between the pair.

The 6 foot 2 inch forward turned down moves to Newcastle in both January and the summer of last year despite the Magpies offering the chance of regular first team football and Ekitike may be feeling a sense of regret over his choice.

REJECTION: Why Ekitike turned down Newcastle transfer

But fresh reports in England have claimed that Newcastle are still interested in Ekitike and could even offer him another chance to join the club this summer, potentially making it third time lucky for the Premier League side.

Newcastle have signed the likes of Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon since being rejected by Ekitike, meaning another approach for the Frenchman is likely not a high priority, despite the club still admiring him.