Hugo Ekitike, a former Newcastle United transfer target, has found a new permanent home after being frozen out by Paris Saint-Germain.
Hugo Ekitike got a new home this summer, two years after turning down the chance to join Newcastle United.
The 21-year-old is presently on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt, having joined from Paris Saint-Germain in January. The agreement contained a purchase option, which the Bundesliga club promptly exercised.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Frankfurt would pay £14 million for Ekitike, after already paying a £3 million loan fee. PSG has also placed a sell-on clause into the agreement.
Ekitike rejected down a transfer to St James’ Park in January and summer 2022. The Magpies agreed to a reported £26 million cost with Stade de Reims, but negotiations with the player’s representation proved difficult as they resisted a move to PSG.
However, the switch hasn’t gone as planned. Ekitike has made 33 appearances for the French champions, the last in August before being frozen out by Luis Enrique. Last summer, West Ham United and Crystal Palace were rumored to be interested, but Frankfurt secured his services six months later.
After failing to score in his first 11 games for the German club, the attacker finally did so last week with a fine solo effort in a 3-1 victory over FC Augsburg. It ended an unwelcome streak of 28 games without a goal dating back to January 2023.
While Ekitike’s snub irritated Newcastle fans at the time, it was most likely a good thing. The Magpies went on to break their club record transfer fee for Alexander Isak, who has 31 goals in 62 games since coming for £63 million from Real Sociedad.
