French giants ‘agree deal to sign Toon target Ekitike’

PARIS Saint-Germain have agreed a deal in principle to sign Newcastle United target Hugo Ekitike, according reports in the French capital.

Le Parisien claims the Ligue 1 side have pipped Eddie Howe’s side to the signature of the young Frenchman, despite the Magpies having agreed a deal with Reims to sign the forward earlier this summer.

United set a deadline for Ekitike after months of negotiation and two accepted bids. The 20-year-old turned down a move to Newcastle in January with the view to re-entering talks again this summer, but the deal broke down last month with the two parties unable to agree a deal.

“Hugo Ekitike has agreed in principle to join Paris Saint-Germain,” reported Le Parisien.

Ekitike wanted assurances over playing time from Newcastle, but reports in France claim he had his heart set on PSG or Real Madrid.

The two factors do not necessarily tie in together, with fierce competition for places at two of the top sides in Europe.

The view in the French media is that a move to St James’ Park would make the most sense for his career, having only played one season in the top flight of his native country.

The Magpies pulled out of the deal last month due to agent demands and have turned their attention elsewhere in order to bolster their squad.

Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot set a deadline of July 10 for any Reims player to decide their future, with the club to travel to Belgium for pre-season on that date.

Ekitike has now joined up with his team-mates ahead of next season.