EXCLUSIVE: Crystal Palace and West Ham in race for PSG striker Hugo Ekitike
Jacque Talbot
- 2 Dec 2023 12:45 CST
- 3 min read
Exclusive
Crystal Palace are considering a move for Hugo Ekitike who is a target for West Ham, FootballTransfers understands.
Sources have informed us that the club are looking to strike a deal with Paris Saint-Germain for the 21-year-old ahead of the January transfer window, with the Hammers also keen.
Ekitike had talks with Palace during the summer but no move materialised and so he has remained with PSG. We are told that the Frenchman is almost certain to leave the Parc des Princes this winter window and would rather a move away from Ligue 1 to somewhere abroad. Newcastle have been previously linked but we
understand that there is no ambition to make another attempt at this point.
Meanwhile, Palace are looking to bolster their ranks with another forward and a midfielder as cover for Cheick Doucoure, who is out for the season with an Achilles injury.
Odsonne Edouard, who has had a mixed season for the Eagles this term, is someone who could depart the club in the upcoming window, with Ekitike as a replacement.
Who will PSG sell in January?
PSG are expecting to ship off the likes of Ekitike, Layvin Kurzawa, even Keylor Navas. It’s believed that Luis Campo, the club’s sporting advisor, is interested in Gabriel Moscardo at Corinthians, who’s thought to be valued at around €25 million.
Luis Enrique said ahead of PSG’s trip to Le Havre: “ Sports management and staff must always work and think about improving the squad. From there to doing it publicly, there is room.”
PSG announced the signing of Ekitike on a season-long loan with an option-to-buy for a reported fee of €35m. After which, their purchase option in the deal was made mandatory. He has scored four goals in 34 games so far for the Ligue 1 champions.
