Arsenal to take advantage of Newcastle blow? PSG enter race for Hugo Ekitike

Newcastle have been dealt a potential blow in their attempts to recruit a striker as it has emerged that Hugo Ekitike has decided to delay a move in order to see whether the reported interest from Paris Saint Germain becomes concrete.

The Magpies thought that they had a deal agreed for the Reims striker, who they have been tracking since January, for a reported fee of around 30m euros, with another 5m euros due in performance-related add-ons.

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

However, this may now have to be put on hold, with PSG having reportedly ‘taken steps’ to recruit Ekitike, though any move will wait for a new manager to arrive to replace the outgoing Mauricio Pochettino.

🚨 PSG has taken steps to recruit Hugo Ekitike 🇫🇷 but delayed while waiting for the coach.

Despite an agreement with Newcastle and a Reims-Newcastle deal, the player wants to have every opportunity on the table to decide. Newcastle are looking for a plan B.

( @Tanziloic )

– Hadrien Grenier (@hadrien_grenier) June 17, 2022

This has forced the Magpies to look for a plan B in case their man is stolen away from them, but could yet deal Arsenal a boost.

What does it mean for Scamacca?

This comes as PSG’s interest in Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca is likely to cool in the face of this newfound admiration for Ekitike. Given that Kylian Mbappe has remained at the Parc Des Princes, it seems unlikely that they will add two strikers to their squad, certainly not for a combined 80m euros, which is what the pair would cost.

This could hand Arsenal the initiative in their chase for a striker, with Scamacca looking for a move away from the Serie A side this summer and his options narrowing.

Whether the Gunners will want another striker beyond Gabriel Jesus remains to be seen.