Newcastle dodged a bullet on Hugo Ekitike

Newcastle United had spent a lot of the previous 12 months or so chasing promising Frenchman, Hugo Ekitike, with the striker having emerged as a number one goal for the membership in the course of the winter window.

After impressing at former membership Stade de Reims – the place he netted 11 targets final time period – the highly-rated starlet had been linked with a transfer to St James’ Park in January, just for the participant himself to snub the swap after a price had been agreed between the 2 events.

Rumours had once more been circulating over the summer that the Tynesiders had been hoping so as to add the 20-year-old to their attacking arsenal, just for that curiosity to fail to bear fruit, because the dynamic gem joined European powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain on an preliminary loan deal.

That failure to land the rising expertise had seemingly been seen as an actual blow on the time for Magpies boss Eddie Howe, with the current window having confirmed considerably frustrating with reference to recruiting ahead additions, previous to the late seize of club-record signing, Alexander Isak.

On present proof, nonetheless, it could have confirmed one thing of a blessing in disguise concerning the shortcoming to get Ekitike by means of the door, with the 20-year-old having endured a irritating begin to life on the Parc des Princes, failing to attain in six league outings for Christopher Galtier’s facet.

The £25.2m-rated gem’s present woes had been epitomised on Saturday night as he produced a reasonably nameless show on what his first start for the Parisien outfit, notably being dubbed “frustrating” by journalist Alexandre Aflalo as he was withdrawn on the hour mark.

That “static” show – as described by journalist Nabil Djellit – noticed the 6 foot 2 ace fail to register a single shot and provides away possession on six events from simply 30 touches, earlier than being withdrawn in favour of compatriot, Kylian Mbappe.

On what was a tricky day for the France U21 worldwide, there have been contrasting fortunes again in England as Howe’s males stormed to a 4-1 victory over newly-promoted Fulham, with fellow striker Callum Wilson marking his return from injury with a bang after netting his third purpose of the season in that convincing win.

The “electric” ahead – as beforehand dubbed by Thomas Rooney – lead the road fantastically within the absence of the aforementioned Isak, producing a usually deadly poachers end to set the Magpies on their method to victory.

As journalist Ciaran Kelly famous, the £46k-per-week Englishman is one thing of a “game changer” for the northeast facet such is his high quality, making the distinction in opposition to the Cottagers regardless of solely having 12 touches, with that medical nature set to be important for the Premier League facet this season.

Certainly, the striker is well-known to Howe already and is extremely nicely accustomed to his techniques and coaching strategies, with solely Brett Pitman (84) scoring extra targets than Wilson (74) below the previous Bournemouth boss’ tutelage.

After all, the Magpies received’t have foreseen bringing within the ahead’s ex-manager when he arrived on the membership however it’s evident that PIF struck gold when reuniting the pair. He’s the final word again as much as Isak and sure a much more appropriate choice to Ekitike of their ahead ranks.

With Howe set to have the duo tussling it out for a beginning berth this time period, there’s already fierce and wholesome competitors for locations, with lacking out on the misfiring Ekitike doubtlessly a bullet dodged so far as PIF and co are involved.