Journalist Pete O'Rourke has dropped a bold Newcastle United claim regarding former Magpies transfer target Hugo Ekitike.

The Lowdown: Deal agreed

It was reported in June that the St James' Park outfit had agreed a deal with Reims to sign the 20-year-old, with personal terms already agreed as well.

However, talks with the player's agent - who wanted additional fees and payments - proved too difficult to overcome, so the Tyneside club walked away from the deal.

Ekitike has since signed for Paris Saint-Germain, but he has only played 66 minutes for them so far this season.

The Latest: No regrets?

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O'Rourke has claimed that Ekitike will not have any regrets about snubbing Newcastle and moving to PSG just yet, despite a lack of game-time for the Ligue 1 champions.

The journalist said of the 20-year-old's failed Tyneside move: “I don’t think he’ll have any regrets just yet.

“It’s hard to get into that star-studded PSG attacking frontline with those players ahead of him in the pecking order, but he’s a young player Ekitike, and PSG do have high hopes for him in the future as well.”

The Verdict: One that got away

Ekitike is one that got away for Newcastle, given how the Frenchman burst onto the scene last term with 11 goals and four assists across all competitions (Transfermarkt).

Some in France even believe that he could become the ‘next Mbappe’, and he is now playing with the French superstar, albeit seemingly falling behind him, Lionel Messi and Neymar in the pecking order.

Nonetheless, Eddie Howe's side have signed Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad instead, and with two goals for the Magpies already - including one against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday - they may not be regretting missing out on Ekitike too much.