What Hugo Ekitike wants to happen as Newcastle United reignite interest in striker

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Newcastle United are once again being linked with a move for Hugo Ekitike. 

Ekitike will be a name very familiar to Newcastle United supporters. Indeed, Ekitike rejected Newcastle in 2022 and instead joined Paris Saint-Germain from Reims. 

Newcastle, of course, went out and signed Alexander Isak instead. That’s worked out very well for the club, while Ekitike has rebuilt his career after struggling for game time in the French capital.

The striker joined German side Eintracht Frankfurt in 2024 and has since established himself as one of the best young forwards in Europe.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Newcastle are interested in Ekitike, and the transfer insider has now provided a further update. 

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Hugo Ekitike wants to move to the Premier League

Romano confirmed on his YouTube channel that the 23-year-old was keen on a move to the Premier League despite interest from Saudi Arabia. 

He again touted Newcastle as a potential landing spot, though did claim that both Liverpool and Chelsea have been calling the player “for weeks”.

“There is movement on Hugo Ekitike, with interest from Saudi, but the priority of the player remains England,” he said. 

“And with Newcastle interested in Hugo Ekitike, there is still interest also from more clubs.

“Because clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea have been calling for the player for weeks, since June, for example, being informed on the situation of Hugo Ekitike.

“Newcastle are also interested in the player, and so we will see what’s going to happen with the Eintracht striker this summer transfer window.”

Frankfurt have set a huge asking price for Ekitike, who scored 22 goals in 48 games last season.  

What Hugo Ekitike has said about rejecting Newcastle United

At the time, it was hugely frustrating that the striker rejected Newcastle to go and sit on PSG’s bench.

Still, it was an understandable decision. PSG are one of the biggest clubs in the world, though only now are they trusting the younger players having previously been accused of being obsessed with celebrity. 

Newcastle got Isak in the end, so it was hardly a disaster for the club. The Sweden star is now considered among the very best forwards in the world.

In fact, Ekitike has previously confirmed he would have joined Newcastle if he was going to leave France at the time. 

Speaking to Le Parisien in 2022, Ekitike said: “I’m not setting aside everything Newcastle did for me to come. If I had to go abroad, I would have gone there. But when PSG wants you and you’re French, you can’t refuse.”