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Hugo Ekitike 'ready to fight for Paris Saint-Germain place'

Hugo Ekitike 'ready to fight for PSG place'
© Reuters
Hugo Ekitike is reportedly determined to fight for his place at Paris Saint-Germain but would be open to a Premier League move if his situation does not improve.

Paris Saint-Germain attacker Hugo Ekitike is reportedly determined to fight for his place in Luis Enrique's setup after the club tried and failed to move him on in the summer.

Les Parisiens underwent a significant period of change in the final third during the most recent transfer window, as all of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Mauro Icardi and Julian Draxler moved on.

Randal Kolo Muani, Goncalo Ramos, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Marco Asensio and Lee Kang-in all arrived at the Parc des Princes, while there was a return for Xavi Simons, who was immediately loaned out to RB Leipzig.

A deal for Kolo Muani was not wrapped up until the dying embers of the transfer window, though, as PSG desperately tried to offload Ekitike in order to raise funds to sign his compatriot.

The 21-year-old spent the 2022-23 season on loan at the club from Reims before a €28.5m (£24.7m) purchase clause was automatically triggered, but he does not appear to have a long-term future in Paris.

Paris Saint-Germain's Hugo Ekitike pictured on August 31, 2022© Reuters

A move to the Premier League was strongly mooted amid links with Brentford, Crystal Palace and West Ham United, but PSG were hoping to use the striker as a makeweight in a deal for Kolo Muani.

However, Ekitike rejected the chance to join Eintracht Frankfurt, while a late move to Palace on deadline day also collapsed, supposedly leaving PSG furious with the 21-year-old due to his reluctance to move on.

In the wake of the summer saga, Ekitike has played just eight minutes of football so far this season, and he has not made the squad for any of Les Parisiens' last three games.

Nevertheless, 90min claims that the attacker still believes that he can come good at the Parc des Princes and remains determined to prove his worth to Enrique in the coming months.

Ekitike is supposedly aware that it is now down to him to make an impression on the field, but if opportunities remain scarce heading into the winter months, he will open the door to an exit.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Luis Enrique reacts on September 3, 2023© Reuters

Following their failed negotiations in the summer, Palace are still thought to retain an interest in Ekitike, while Brentford and West Ham are still lurking in the background too.

However, the report adds that Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton have also asked his agents to keep them abreast of any developments, and the consensus is that he will end up in England.

PSG can drive a hard bargain with Ekitike under contract until 2027, though, and a loan exit to Lyon, Lens or old employers Reims has not been ruled out either.

Newcastle United were believed to be plotting a move for Ekitike in 2022 before PSG swooped for his signature, but he only managed four goals from 32 games in his debut season.

Ekitike featured from the first whistle 12 times in the 2022-23 Ligue 1 campaign en route to his first major trophy, but he was restricted to a mere 58 minutes of Champions League football.

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Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) Hugo Ekitike celebrates scoring their first goal on January 6, 2023
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CParis Saint-GermainPSG312010176294770
2MonacoMonaco31177758411758
3Brest31168749331656
4Lille311510645271855
5Nice31149836251151
6Lens31137114034646
7Marseille31111194738944
8Lyon31135134251-944
9Rennes31119114841742
10Toulouse311010113840-240
11Reims31117133845-740
12Montpellier HSCMontpellier31911113943-437
13StrasbourgStrasbourg3199133444-1036
14NantesNantes3195172949-2032
15Le HavreLe Havre31611143041-1129
16Metz3185183251-1929
17Lorient3168173761-2426
18Clermont31510162550-2525


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