Liverpool are in Newcastle United’s way right now, as the Magpies attempt to sign Hugo Ekitike for a club record fee.
Newcastle are pushing to sign Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, but suffered a couple of serious setbacks on Tuesday.
It started when Frankfurt rejected Newcastle’s £70million bid for Ekitike. Then the situation got even more convoluted when Liverpool registered their interest in Alexander Isak.
If they can’t sign Isak, Liverpool are going to target Ekitike. In essence, Liverpool either want Newcastle’s talisman or their number one transfer target. Alternatively, Isak is Liverpool’s top target and they will be forced to go for Ekitike if Newcastle’s stance remains the same.
Hugo Ekitike looks dejected after Eintracht Frankfurt are knocked out of the Europa League.
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Why Newcastle should let Liverpool win the Hugo Ekitike race
Newcastle United can make a huge statement of intent by keeping Isak and signing Ekitike. However, that will be extremely difficult.
The smarter play would be to back down and let Ekitike head to Anfield. It would be a blow for Eddie Howe, but potentially a smarter decision in the long run.
If Liverpool sign Ekitike, they are not signing Isak. It is as simple as that. And while Ekitike would be magic in a black and white shirt, Newcastle’s priority should be keeping Isak on Tyneside. He is proven in the Premier League, capable of scoring the goals that the Magpies need to achieve their ambitions.
Ekitike could potentially do that too, but is unproven. While Ekitike has huge potential, he is not proven in the Premier League. He would represent a slight gamble.
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It is a gamble that Newcastle could take if Isak was playing alongside him. However, there would then be the fear that Liverpool go all out to sign the Sweden international. While Newcastle are adamant that Isak is not for sale, the situation can always change once money is put on the table.
Despite Newcastle United’s desire to have both Isak and Ekitike, that suddenly feels unachievable. Even if you are Ekitike, the chance to join Premier League champions Liverpool and be their main man is going to be more appealing than a move to a club where you will be the second-best striker.
Newcastle can target another forward. There are other options out there, with Yoane Wissa linked with the Magpies before the Ekitike saga went into overdrive.
The pool of clubs that would want Alexander Isak is getting smaller
It may seem small-minded and unambitious to simply say Newcastle should let Liverpool have Ekitike. However, there is a wider objective at play.
If Liverpool sign Ekitike, they do not need Isak – not this summer, next summer, or the summer after that. At 23-years-old, Ekitike has the majority of his career ahead of him.
Suddenly, the list of clubs that could sign the 25-year-old is shortening. Arsenal admire Isak too, but they are bringing in Viktor Gyokeres.
That would leave Chelsea as the only other potential Premier League suitor. Given their recent history in the transfer market, I suppose you can never rule them out.
Looking further afield, Barcelona would perhaps be the only club that Newcastle United need to worry about with regards to Isak. How big a worry that would be remains to be seen, as their financial difficulties are well documented.
Miss out on the Ekitike transfer and Newcastle United could be poised to keep Isak for the foreseeable future. A new contract might be easier to negotiate too, with Newcastle keen to make Isak their highest-paid player.