The Frenchman joined PSG on a loan deal with an obligation to buy earlier this summer.
Hugo Ekitike has admitted he would have joined Newcastle if there wasn’t an offer from Paris Saint Germain.
The French striker attracted interest from a host of elite clubs after his impressive performances for Reims last season.
Following a failed attempt in January, Newcastle pushed hard to bring Ekitike to St James’ Park this summer. However, PSG managed to hijack the move, signing the 20-year-old on a loan deal with an obligation to buy for €36m.
“I had an appointment with Luis [Campos, PSG sporting director] which meant a lot to me,” Ekitike told Le Parisien.
“It was not so long ago. We talked a lot, he is someone I value a lot. I wanted to come to PSG before this exchange, but he convinced me even more
“I’m not setting aside everything Newcastle did for 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.”
Newcastle have added Sven Botman and Matt Target to their backline this summer while signing Burnley’s Nick Pope as their new goalkeeper.
However, a failed attempt to sign Ekitike has left them without recruitment in their forward line. The Magpies are reportedly keen to make a bid for Chelsea‘s Armando Broja, who is also attracted ‘strong interest’ from Southampton and West Ham.
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about Ligue 1
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
