Newcastle United saw a bid accepted by Reims for striker Hugo Ekitike on transfer deadline day, but other clubs are now preparing to swoop for him in the summer.
But the Magpies ultimately didn’t land the Frenchman, who decided against making the move at the last minute.
Ekitike wasn’t seen as a necessary purchase. More, a luxury addition.
That said, some supporters were gutted to see the move fall through.
Ekitike is certainly a player with huge potential. It would have been a very exciting transfer.
It could be that Newcastle will go back in for him in the summer. Of course, staying in the Premier League will be vitally important if they to have any hope of signing him.
But Newcastle seemingly won’t have it straightforward even if they do stay up.
According to a report from Calciomercato today, a few big clubs from across Europe are already circling the player.
Apparently, AC Milan are keen on the youngster, who has been compared to Kylian Mbappe. Borussia Dortmund also have an eye on him, with speculation rife about the future of Erling Haaland.
Paris Saint-Germain are also monitoring the teenager. Like with Haaland at Dortmund, Mbappe could well be on the move this summer and so they would need a replacement. Moving for ‘the next Mbappe’ seems logical.
It remains to be seen if Newcastle will stay in the Premier League, and then be able to beat off the competition for Ekitike.
Newcastle’s biggest competition for Hugo Ekitike would probably be PSG
Assuming Newcastle do stay in the Premier League, the team they should be most worried about if they decide to move for Ekitike again is surely PSG.
Mbappe has constantly been linked with a move to Real Madrid. His contract is up at the end of the season and that move is more than likely, with Real needing a long-term replacement for Karim Benzema.
PSG is obviously the biggest club in France and naturally a big lure to young French players.
Newcastle can throw a lot of money at Ekitike.
But so can PSG, and they would represent a much more ‘comfortable’ move for the starlet.
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