Stade de Reims star Hugo Ekitike has, on Friday evening, arrived in France’s capital, to put pen to paper on terms with heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain.
The name of attacking sensation Ekitike has of course taken its place front and centre in the headlines across the continent this summer.
This comes with the 20-year-old having been identified as a priority target on the part of a number of clubs, first and foremost Premier League outfit Newcastle United.
At one point, it even appeared as though a move to St. James’ Park was as good as done, with the newly-minted Magpies ready to splash out upwards of €30 million on Ekitike’s signature.
Hugo Ekitike deal. Newcastle and Reims have full agreement on €30m fee plus €5m add-ons, agent is now in talks with Newcastle after being given permission by Reims. ⭐️?? #NUFC
Work in progress as Newcastle have been leading the race for weeks.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 4, 2022
In turn, it no doubt came as a blow for all associated with Newcastle upon word beginning to surface that the gifted starlet was stalling on a move to Tyneside, having set his sights on a move to one of European football’s giants.
The outfit in question? The aforementioned PSG.
Evidently of the opinion that the club’s star-studded ranks remained in need of reinforcement, those in a position of power at the Parc des Princes, in turn, moved swiftly to make Ekitike’s wish come true over the course of the last couple of weeks.
And now, as alluded to above, the French youth international’s move to the Ligue 1 champions has been all but confirmed.
Footage of Ekitike in attendance at PSG’s headquarters has come to the fore late on Friday, swiftly followed by widespread reports that the attacker has put pen to paper on a contract through the summer of 2027:
Contracts have been checked and signed between Paris Saint-Germain, Reims and Hugo Ekitike’s camp. He signs until 2027, medical completed in the afternoon. ??? #PSG
Here Ekitike @ PSG headquarters set to be unveiled as new signing.@CanalSupporters ?⤵️ pic.twitter.com/j7IQ0gkWkS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 15, 2022
This comes despite Reims’ president earlier today having confirmed that Newcastle, in fact, tabled a more lucrative offer than PSG for Ekitike.
“Paris Saint-Germain have not offered same figures as Newcastle,” Jean-Pierre Caillot revealed to l’Union.
The will of the player himself, though, ultimately proved telling. “We’re happy to let Hugo fulfill his dream. He’s always been respectful with the club.”
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