· 16 July 2025, 20:00
**The Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, Liverpool, Newcastle United super-saga has taken more twists and turns than an M. Night Shyamalan script in the last 24 hours, but there's no sign of it slowing down just yet.**
We're sure you don't need a reminder of what's going on, but just in case: Liverpool reportedly approached Newcastle, saying they'd be willing to offer £120 million for Alexander Isak. Newcastle said thanks but no thanks while placing a bid for Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt. Liverpool then said, "Well, we'll just go and buy Hugo Ekitike then, how does that grab you?". Newcastle responded with, "Bring it on!". And now Liverpool have approached Eintracht Frankfurt over Hugo Ekitike.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have reportedly denied even having made contact with Newcastle over Alexander Isak, and yet, the PIF are not happy with their conduct.
According to [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/07/16/newcastle-close-in-ekitike-issue-liverpool-warning-isak/), Newcastle's 85% majority owners are more adamant than ever that Alexander Isak is not for sale, and are now determined to beat Liverpool to the signing of Ekitike.
> [](https://twitter.com/LukeEdwardsTele/status/1945490391278445014)
Luke Edwards says the PIF are not happy with Liverpool right now
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A report by Luke Edwards claims that Newcastle are 'unflustered' by Liverpool's attempts to unsettle Alexander Isak, while Liverpool again deny that's what they're doing.
> "Newcastle steadfastly maintain that Isak is not for sale in this transfer window and this stance is shared by all the main power brokers at St James’ Park.
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> "And rather than fend Liverpool off on one front, Newcastle are willing to fight them on both and have responded to Tuesday’s drama by intensifying talks for Ekitike."
Will the PIF put their money where their mouth is?
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Intensifying talks is one thing, but at the end of the day it's all going to come down to money, and this is where the PIF will have to show their true ambitions.
However, as we've said many times during this saga, we don't want to be bullied into over-paying for Hugo Ekitike. He has an £86 million release clause that Newcastle would rather not be forced activate, but if they can agree a structured deal with Frankfurt, which reports suggest will be possible, then it may have be the case.
Then it will come down to wages, and this is where Liverpool could hold the advantage.
I'm sure that between writing this and it going live on the site, there'll have been at least one more development. This whole story is crazy.