Everton have begun talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a loan to buy deal for striker Hugo Ekitike, according to reports.
The youngster moved to the Parc des Princes on loan from Reims in 2022, having snubbed interest from the likes of Newcastle, before joining permanently.
Newcastle, keen to reinforce Eddie Howe’s strikeforce ahead of their surprise Champions League push, could not agree a switch, leading Ekitike to Paris.
However, the forward has scored just four goals in 32 appearances at the club and is reportedly available for sale this summer, alongside a host of his team-mates.
And journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Everton are attempting to lure Ekitike to Merseyside, though PSG are demanding a €35million (£30m) package.
![Everton have opened talks with PSG over a loan to buy deal for young striker Hugo Ekitike](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/10/10/74161087-0-image-a-32_1691658699970.jpg)
Everton have opened talks with PSG over a loan to buy deal for young striker Hugo Ekitike
![Sean Dyche is working with a shoestring budget this summer, with two bargain deals sealed](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/10/10/74161089-0-image-m-37_1691658730168.jpg)
Sean Dyche is working with a shoestring budget this summer, with two bargain deals sealed
![PSG boss Luis Enrique has made several players, including Ekitike, surplus to requirements](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/10/10/74161091-0-image-m-36_1691658719083.jpg)
PSG boss Luis Enrique has made several players, including Ekitike, surplus to requirements
Negotiations between both parties are described as being at an early stage.
Sean Dyche is once again operating on a shoestring budget at Goodison Park in this window, meaning a loan switch to Everton is the likeliest option for Ekitike.
It remains to be seen, however, whether PSG would prefer to sell the ace.
So far this summer, Everton have signed free agent Ashley Young and Arnaut Danjuma on loan from Villarreal, months after a deal was hijacked by Tottenham.
They are believed to be looking for a new striker next and Ekitike, a dynamic forward with lofty potential, could provide invaluable goals next season.
New PSG boss Luis Enrique is keen to offload several players ahead of the new campaign, with Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Marco Verratti surplus to requirements.