NEWCASTLE are preparing to table a loan bid for Paris Saint-Germain forward Hugo Ekitike, two years after the Frenchman snubbed the club.
Eddie Howe’s men are seeking reinforcements in the January window amid an injury crisis at St James’ Park.
It is understood they are in the market for a centre-back, central midfielder and forward.
Injuries to both Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson have left the Toon desperately short up front – which was evident in their 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth before the international break.
However, Financial Fair Play regulations look set to restrict them from splashing huge sums of cash in the mid-season window.
As a result, a loan offer for Ekitike, 21, is thought to be a move Newcastle are interested in.
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According to The Northern Echo, the Premier League side would entertain a loan deal with an option to buy in the summer.
It comes after Ekitike was one of several PSG stars “banished” as they trained away from the rest of the squad back in August – a group which also included Kylian Mbappe.
Since then, the ex-Reims forward has seen just eight minutes of action this season and not featured at all since mid-August.
But it remains to be seen whether he would agree to a move to Tyneside as he previously rejected the chance to sign for the club.
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Reims had agreed a £33million deal with Newcastle on Deadline Day in January 2022.
But the transfer fell through as Ekitike waited on a meeting with PSG advisor Luis Campos.
Speaking about the decision, he said: “I had an appointment with Luis (Campos) which meant a lot for me.
“It was not so long ago. We talked a lot, he is someone I consider enormously.
“I wanted to come to PSG before this exchange but it convinced me even more.
“I don’t put aside everything Newcastle did to get 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.”
Ekitike joined PSG on loan in the summer of 2022, before the deal was made permanent ahead of this season for around £30m.
He has played 33 games for the French champions, scoring four goals and providing a further four assists.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
