The 15-goal striker explained the Newcastle United snub in the context of Liverpool’s interest, stating, “I don’t regret…”

The 15-goal striker explained the Newcastle United snub in the context of Liverpool’s interest, stating,

 

 

 

“I don’t regret…” A former Newcastle United transfer target has provided an explanation for his decision to decline a move to St James Park on two separate occasions. Hugo Ekitike has disclosed the rationale behind his refusal to pursue a transfer to Newcastle United in successive transfer windows.

 

 

 

 

However, he acknowledged that his tenure at Paris Saint-Germain was “not the most enjoyable experience of his life.” The PIF-led consortium that completed an acquisition at St James Park sought to bolster Eddie Howe’s squad in order to prevent relegation from the Premier League, and the Magpies were a target for the France Under-21 international during the final days of the January 2022 transfer window.

 

 

 

 

Before the conclusion of a tumultuous transfer window, the new proprietors of United had already closed deals for Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, and Chris Wood. They would subsequently add Dan Burn and Matt Targett to their roster. However, Ekitike appeared to be on the verge of securing a transfer to St James Park in the early hours of deadline day after

 

 

 

 

Newcastle reached an agreement with his former club, Reims, for a fee estimated at approximately £25 Million. Nevertheless, the forward subsequently abandoned the Magpies and replicated the same manoeuvre when United attempted to acquire the versatile forward during the summer transfer window,

 

 

 

 

six months later. Despite winning two Ligue 1 titles during his time at the Parc des Prince, Ekitike largely watched from the sidelines, making only 14 starts in all competitions across two seasons, following an initial loan move to Paris Saint-Germain that became a permanent switch 12 months later.Following his £13m transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt last summer,

 

 

 

 

Ekitike has had an extraordinary season with the Bundesliga club, scoring 22 goals and providing 11 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions. This has sparked speculation that Liverpool and Arsenal are contemplating a substantial transfer to the Premier League, three years after he initially declined a move to Newcastle. The 22-year-old emphasised that a transfer to PSG was

 

 

 

 

“the next logical step” in his career, and he had no regrets about joining the likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the French capital, reflecting on his decision to reject the advances of Newcastle and a number of other clubs that had shown interest. In an interview with the official UEFA website, the French forward stated, “I had offers from numerous clubs, and Paris’ offer arrived.”

 

 

 

 

That concluded the matter. The subsequent logical progression. Currently, Paris is the most dominant organisation in France, having achieved victory in all competitions. They possessed the most talented players in the world. “How could I refuse?” I informed my brother. I stated, “I am eager to visit immediately.” That was the extent of my communication with him.

 

 

 

 

I will not claim that my time in Paris was the finest moment of my life in terms of longevity. However, upon reflection, I am now considering whether it was necessary. I have an abundance of objectives. Sometimes, I do not regret fracturing my back, as I have a plethora of responsibilities ahead of me. It is all a component of my voyage, and I am proud of it.