West Ham eyeing loan move for Hugo Ekitike

West Ham United are targeting a loan deal for Paris Saint-Germain forward Hugo Ekitike, according to L’Equipe.

Having parted ways with Gianluca Scamacca off the back of a tough debut season, West Ham are in the market for a new centre-forward.

The Hammers were previously interested in landing Elye Wahi from Montpellier but have now set their sights on Ekitike, who is expected to leave PSG this summer.

A move to West Ham could see the 21-year-old get his career back on track having struggled for regular game time since his move to Parc des Princes from Stade de Reims last year.

Ekitike has played just nine minutes across his side’s first two league games with Goncalo Ramos getting the nod to start on both occasions.

The impending arrival of Randal Kolo Muani will also see Ekitike fall further down the pecking order, leaving a move away from PSG the best option to further his development.

West Ham are expected to table an initial loan offer with an option to buy for around €35 million.

However, the Premier League outfit face competition from AC Milan, Eintracht Frankfurt and Lyon in their quest to land Ekitike.

Despite making a bright start to the 2023/24 campaign, West Ham are set to intensify their search for a new striker before the end of the transfer window after completing their midfield revamp with the acquisition of James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez.

David Moyes’ side had to settle for a share of the spoils in their opening league encounter against Bournemouth but claimed an impressive 3-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday thanks to goals from Nayef Aguerd, Michail Antonio and a late Lucas Paqueta penalty.