Newcastle United want both Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak at the club next season but Liverpool are making their own moves
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Ipswich Town FC at St James' Park on April 26, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Ipswich Town FC at St James' Park on April 26, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
(Image: Getty Images)
Newcastle United have received a huge boost in their attempts to keep Alexander Isak at St James' Park - but equally may have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool have now made a move for the latter, as per the Athletic, approaching Eintracht Frankfurt to see if a deal can be struck for the 23-year-old this summer. Newcastle saw a bid of around £70m rejected for Ekitike on Wednesday.
The Frenchman arriving at Anfield would all but end Liverpool's pursuit of Isak this summer, despite claims on Merseyside that the Reds could indeed afford both aforementioned attackers.
Liverpool have already splashed out £116.5m on Florian Wirtz - a Premier League record - but will seek to recoup big money for Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez to balance the books.
Newcastle have not given up on Ekitike and are ready to launch a second bid for his services. Frankfurt placed a €100m [£86m] release clause in his contract but may be persuaded to cash in for slightly less than that figure.
This, despite the fact the German club are notoriously tricky sellers. Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain both experienced this first-hand when being forced to meet Frankfurt's lofty valuations for Omar Marmoush and Randal Kolo Muani, respectively.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have stood firm over their prized asset, telling Liverpool that Isak is not for sale. Arne Slot's side have yet to launch an official bid for the Swede, with even a fee of £125m-plus not guaranteed to get the ball rolling.
Isak has expressed no desire to leave Tyneside at this stage, meaning Newcastle currently hold all the cards. Liverpool, meanwhile, saw the No 14 as their top attacking target of the summer and a swoop for Ekitike could suggest their focus has shifted.
“I don’t think you can compare Alex to anyone,” Howe said of Isak last season. “Alex is very, very different to any other striker I’ve seen or worked with.
“He does things that aren’t like your traditional centre-forward. He’s almost a winger combined into a striker’s mentality because his footwork and dribbling ability is so good. That’s almost winger-like and then you put him into the middle of the pitch and, with his pace and technical ability and exceptional finishing, he’s sort of got the whole package linked into one. He’s very unique and I’d encourage him to stay that way.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle still have grand plans to sign additional defensive reinforcements, while Sean Longstaff's exit is progressing after a Leeds United bid was accepted on Wednesday.
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