Hugo Ekitike was Newcastle United’s top priority and Reims’ general manager wonders if the now PSG forward could have done in the Premier League what Alexander Isak has done under Eddie Howe.
After finally accepting defeat following their long-running pursuit of Hugo Ekitike, Newcastle United then bet the farm on Alexander Isak instead. And it’s testament to how the silky Swede has adapted to life in England that no one is questioning his £60 million price-tag these days, only Erling Haaland ahead of Isak in the Golden Boot race as things stand.
Isak’s gain, then, is arguably Ekitike’s loss.
Newcastle even agreed a £26 million fee with Reims in June 2022, per The Guardian, but the chance to share a dressing room with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe at the Parc des Princes was one Ekitike could not turn down, even if the presence of such superstars meant opportunities were always likely to be limited.
Newcatle United missed out on Hugo Ekitike
“We never have as many scouts (visit us) as when we had Hugo Ekitike. We have never had so many clubs, (keen to sign one of our players),” Lacour recalls, speaking to Le Club des 5.
“It was amazing. (Moving to PSG) was his choice and that of his agent. Perhaps another project would have allowed him to express himself better. When I see Newcastle, who pushed hard in January and June, when you see today the way Isak is flourishing at Newcastle, perhaps we would be talking today about Hugo like we are about Isak.
“It’s his career choice. I’m not criticising what he did. He is French, and playing with Messi, Neymar and Mbappe…I can understand.”
‘It’s his choice’
Ekitike was Newcastle’s number one attacking target early on in the Saudi Arabian era. Now, 15 months after PSG pipped Howe to the post to the tune of £30 million, one wonders if the seldom-seen 21-year-old would make a different decision if he could turn back the clock.
Ekitike has played only nine minutes of Ligue 1 football this season after all, despite the summer departures of both Messi and Neymar, though it must be said injuries have played a part.
“(Ekitike) was their top priority,” Lacour adds.
“The (Newcastle) project that appealed to me, because it was concrete. They came in January. They came back in May and June. He was their top priority.”
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