Liverpool has made an approach to sign Hugo Ekitike as the club looks to sign a new striker ahead of its title defense.
While the sporting consequences of the tragic death of Diogo Jota are irrelevant in the grand scheme of things, his passing — coupled with the expected the departure of Darwin Nunez — is set to leave the Reds short up front. While Federico Chiesa is considered an option through the middle, he is clearly not yet someone who Arne Slot feels he can hang his hat on.
Liverpool was knocked back with an approach for Alexander Isak earlier this week but the Swede remains Liverpool's No.1 target, with France international Ekitike seemingly a fallback option.
Newcastle had a bid of around $87 million rejected for Ekitike earlier this week, and the Magpies' interest in the 23-year-old comes as the club looks to stave off interest from Liverpool in Isak.
Liverpool is willing to pay around $160 million to sign Isak, but it is not clear whether Newcastle would be willing to sell for what would be an English record transfer fee.
Ekitike, who has a similar playing style to Isak, would be attainable for a smaller fee, but he would provide less of a guarantee of Premier League success as he has no experience playing in the league.
Regarding outgoings, Darwin Nunez's move to Napoli is off: Liverpool and Napoli were always well apart with their valuations of Nunez, with the Reds holding out for around $70 million for the striker, and the Serie A champion not willing to pay anywhere near that amount.
Alexander Isak is Liverpool's dream signing
Alexander Isak is Liverpool's dream signing (Image: 2025 Newcastle United)
Liverpool knocked back approaches for Nunez from clubs in Saudi Arabia during the January transfer window, but there remains a strong market for the Reds' No. 9 from clubs in the Gulf state.
Nunez was considered by Al-Nassr along with Jhon Duran and Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface last January, but ultimately it was Duran who ended up joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. in Riyadh; Duran has since joined Fenerbahce on loan.
Nunez was reportedly disappointed that he was not given the opportunity to at least listen to Al-Nassr's offer, with Liverpool dismissing an $87 million bid and informing the Saudi Pro League club that the forward was not for sale this month at any price.
Liverpool's stance in January was that Nunez was not for sale, with squad depth key as the Reds pursued glory on all four fronts, but Nunez is now very much for sale as the Reds pursue Isak as the Uruguayan's replacement.