Hugo Ekitike is set to leave PSG in January amid Everton transfer rumors; a discounted deal is probable.
Hugo Ekitike, who Everton is interested in signing, may be leaving PSG in January after losing favor there, according to Jonathan Johnson.
The CBS Sports journalist stated that the 21-year-old had “no future” at PSG in an article published on October 5 in Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing, but that the French champions would struggle to recuperate the £30.3 million they paid for the player when he was still a member of Reims.
According to the Evening Standard (24 August), Everton submitted a £34.1million bid for the Frenchman, but the Toffees may have the chance to get him this winter.
Johnson wrote: “I can confirm that Hugo Ekitike is no longer wanted at PSG following transfer rumours about his situation and a possible move to the Premier League.
“The interest from Crystal Palace, which was also there towards the end of the summer transfer window, has been very problematic for PSG because he and his agent didn’t inform PSG that they were trying to negotiate a loan move to Crystal Palace. This was around the time PSG were negotiating a move for Randal Kolo Muani and Ekitike was of interest to Eintracht Frankfurt at that point.
“Ekitike has now been dropped from the “However, I’m sure Ekitike will be moving this winter because he has no future in Paris. It will be very challenging for PSG to recover the amount of money they spent on him. Because the price was set before the player’s initial loan move, during which he lost a significant amount of value, PSG was aware that they had overpaid for the player. They attempted to back out of this agreement, but they had to carry it out.
squad, he’s not on PSG’s list for the Champions League, so his future at the Parc des Princes looks very bleak. There have been links with Everton as well, but I think interest from Newcastle is in the past now.
Unless he can go out on loan and really impress and build up some value, PSG would be lucky to get a paid loan with a view to a permanent transfer for around €20 million, if everything were to go well. However, I think it’s clear they’re going to have to accept a significant hit on this transfer.
The Ligue 1 striker was a highly sought-after prospect during the summer transfer window, and PSG appeared to want to get rid of him. But nothing happened, and Ekitike ended up playing only eight minutes of football this year.
A transfer looks imminent, but if Everton has any kind of resources to work with in January, it could be a good idea to bolster other areas.
While the future of 777 Partner’s takeover remains uncertain, the club might find it difficult to find new members without knowing where the money will come from. However, the club might be eager to add bodies in different areas given the significant expenditure on the front line this summer.
Per The Athletic (5 September), Everton only spent £2.6million on transfer fees this summer as the fees for Beto (£21.4million) and Youssef Chermiti (£10.7million). While this may have eased some pressure on the finances at the time, these fees will still need to be paid in the next fiscal year so recruitment elsewhere seems wise.
The full-back position is an obvious area of weakness. The club have just three available full-backs while Seamus Coleman remains injured, and their inconsistent form makes it a prime area for an upgrade.
Beto, Chermiti and Arnaut Danjuma are yet to make an impact at Goodison Park, but this may change by January and while Dominic Calvert-Lewin is fit, Sean Dyche will have at least one dependable option.
Johnson suggests that “realistically”, Ekitikie could be available on a loan deal with a £17.3million option to buy, but this seems out of the Toffees’ price range for another striker.
