Crystal Palace are in the frame as Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly willing to consider a January transfer for striker after speculation surrounding West Ham and Everton.
Hugo Ekitike has reportedly been reassigned to PSG as a result of a disagreement between the French club and the player’s representatives. Ekitike had been a target for a number of Premier League clubs during the summer, however, PSG opted to move for him in an effort to secure the signature of Rolando Muani. Although they eventually did so, the transfer did not involve Ekitike moving to Germany. After all, the striker had always expressed a preference for a move to the Premier League. Crystal Palace were the most prominent of the clubs to have been linked with Ekitike in the final days of the summer window, though West Ham, Everton and others were also mentioned in August.
Ekitike is expected to remain with PSG until the January transfer window at the earliest, and he is unlikely to make any appearances during that period due to the ongoing discord between the player and the club. However, when the winter transfer window opens, he could leave the French champions altogether. L’Equipe has reported that PSG are willing to provide Ekitike with a loan in January, after initially insisting on a permanent transfer in the summer due to Financial Fair Play regulations.
Palace were looking to use a loan deal to secure Ekitike’s signature, but it is uncertain whether they will return in the future. The forward has been with Paris Saint-Germain since 2022, having joined from Reims in the Ligue 1 following a successful debut season. He has since scored just three times in the league. Ekitike is contracted to the French capital for the next two years, but his attempts to take a different transfer route than PSG’s preferred this summer has reduced his standing with his employers. In January, there will be another opportunity to send him on loan, and this time it is likely that a loan deal will be accepted. The next destination of Ekitike’s services will depend on who takes him on. In the meantime, Everton have been able to bring Beto in from Udinese due to their connections, while the London clubs of Palace, West Ham and Chelsea still have open positions up front.
