· 16 July 2025, 19:00
**Newcastle United are thought to be ready to up their initial bid for Hugo Ekitike after their initial approach was rebuffed by Eintracht Frankfurt.**
Hugo Ekitike is becoming the new Bas Dost as Newcastle are forever linked with the French star. Albeit, there appears to be a lot more truth and likelihood of movement with Ekitike.
Having tried and failed to land the young striker in January 2022 and again that summer, Newcastle are back again, this time looking to break the bank to sign the 23-year-old who, after seeing his career stutter following rejecting Newcastle for Paris Saint-Germain, has gone from strength to strength in the Bundesliga.
However, while Newcastle prepare another bid, Liverpool have also made an approach to Frankfurt. Seething that Newcastle won't let them have Alexander Isak, they are now looking to beat the Magpies to their primary striker target.
A man in demand
Liverpool and Newcastle to go toe-to-toe over Hugo Ekitike
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While the two Premier League clubs gear up for battle, Frankfurt are preparing for life without Hugo Ekitike as [Graeme Bailey has told TBR Football.](https://tbrfootball.com/what-sources-are-saying-about-hugo-ekitike-as-liverpool-make-contact-over-newcastle-target-its-fascinating/)
> “As we have previously revealed, Ekitike is someone who Liverpool like and have done work on.“Like Newcastle they have made contact… I am now told by Frankfurt sources they now fully expect Ekitike to leave this summer.“Ekitike has made it clear he wants to move and he has a desire to come to England.
>
> “This is fascinating, it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.”
Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool practically guarantees Alexander Isak stays at Newcastle
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Other Premier League clubs are lurking in the background with an eye on Hugo Ekitike, but it is Liverpool and Newcastle who look set to fight it out over the striker who notched 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances last season.
After early positivity that Newcastle could get the deal done, Liverpool's involvement clouds the issue, and now there's a feeling that Eddie Howe could miss out on Ekitike yet again.
However, missing out on Ekitike to Liverpool will come with the bonus that it all-but guarantees Alexander Isak will stay on Tyneside, while Ekitike will have to turn out for Liverpool every week knowing that he was bought out of spite.