NEWCASTLE target Hugo Ekitike has spoken out on his decision to join PSG over the Premier League side, revealing how close he was to signing for Eddie Howe.
The Magpies came very close to landing the striker, even agreeing a fee of £36million with French side Reims early last month.
Ekitike has joined PSG on loan instead of Newcastle Credit: Getty However, the 20 year-old snubbed St James’ Park in favour of a loan move to the Ligue 1 giants.
In an interview with Le Parisien, Ekitike revealed the role PSG advisor Luis Campos played in his final decision.
The youngster said: “I had an appointment with Luis which meant a lot to me. It was not so long ago. We talked a lot, he is someone I value a lot.
“I wanted to come to PSG before this exchange, but he convinced me even more.”
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Barcelona president promises Messi will sign, Bernardo Silva offered PSG were unwilling to match Newcastle’s initial bid, instead offering a 1-year loan deal for the forward with an option to buy clause included.
According to Reims sources, Eddie Howe proposed a similar deal, consisting of a two-year loan worth £4m and a £26m obligation to buy in 2024.
Unfortunately for Magpies fans, the Frenchman had already made his mind up.
However, he was quick to acknowledge the club from Tyneside and keen to leave things friendly: “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 want you and you’re French, you can’t refuse.”
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The Toon’s failure to sign the forward was not for lack of trying, with the club reportedly offering 15 TIMES the amount of money he was on at Reims.
Ekitike further discussed how Campos lured him to Le Parc des Princes this summer: “To convince me, you have to talk about sport. What interests me is the game and what can be put in place. We discussed that a lot, his vision, mine and we were in total agreement.
“I know he has confidence in me, he thinks I’m going to do great things and I will give him that confidence back on the pitch.”
He was also dismissive of any claims that he’d made a mistake by not making the switch to the Premier League.
Considering Newcastle’s lack of options in attack, first team football would have been more or less a guarantee for the forward.
But Ekitike made his intentions clear: “The risk did not enter my mind. All those who positioned themselves were big clubs. I’m not afraid of anything, I want to discover a high level.”
Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were all rumoured to be keeping tabs on the forward after a sparkling season in France.
His double figure haul made him the highest scoring teenager in all of Europe’s top five leagues last season.
The under-20 international then went on to claim that “PSG are the biggest club in France, but also in the world.”
As a result of Ekitike’s decision, Howe’s side have had to direct their search elsewhere on their hunt for a striker.
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The best holiday parks in the UK revealed – does your favourite make the list? After the departure of Dwight Gayle to Stoke, Callum Wilson is the only recognised senior striker left at the club.
The Premier League giants have been linked with Memphis Depay, Timo Werner and Armando Broja in recent days.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
