Everton now ‘working hard’ on deal to sign PSG forward Hugo Ekitike
Everton are working hard on a deal to sign Hugo Ekitike as they face fierce competition for the PSG forward, according to Graeme Bailey.
The 90min journalist tweeted on 11 August that the Toffees are still trying to land the Frenchman from the Ligue 1 club as Sean Dyche looks to strengthen his attacking options.
But he said it looks “tough” for Everton as there is “increasing interest” around Europe for the 21-year-old, with Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt both holding talks to sign him.
Unlikely
It’s starting to look a little bit unlikely that Everton will be able to land a deal to sign Ekitike this summer as they look to bring in another forward.
Dyche is desperate to add goals to his side after they found the net on just 34 occasions last season – the second-lowest in the Premier League ahead of Wolves.
French news outlet Sports Zone tweeted on 9 August that the Toffees had agreed a deal worth £34.5million with PSG to sign Ekitike to potentially bring their long pursuit of a new striker to an end.
After spending last season on loan with The Parisians from Reims, his deal only become permanent in June due to an obligation to buy clause in his contract, with the Ligue 1 champions paying a reported £30.2million.
The forward’s potential availability for another transfer has now put Dortmund and Frankfurt on high alert and, given that they both have European football to offer him, there’s a good chance he won’t be heading to Goodison Park.
In other Everton news, concerns have been expressed about the Toffees’ new stadium.