The France international was Newcastle United's main choice to come in as No 9 until Liverpool got involved
Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike was close to a move to Newcastle United
(Image: PA)
Dramatic details of Hugo Ekitike's ill-fated transfer to Newcastle United have emerged in the aftermath of the summer transfer window.
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The near miss has been documented by super-agent Ali Barat who worked on the deal after Eddie Howe made it clear that the Frenchman was high on his hit-list.
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But in an unfortunate chain of events Ekitike swapped Frankfurt for Liverpool, before the Reds compounded Newcastle's striker woe by swooping for Alexander Isak.
Barat told Tuttisport in Italy: "Hugo Ekitike. I was working on behalf of Eintracht Frankfurt to bring him to Newcastle. I stayed in Germany for 10 days.
"We agreed everything with the German club and the player, then Liverpool called him and he chose Anfield."
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Howe had admitted recently on Ekitike, who Newcastle have attempted to sign three times, that he was eager to see him become a Magpie.
He said: "I think there's no doubting that I really like Hugo and have done for a number of years. He's someone that we've tracked for a long time."
Ekitike has started the Premier League season strongly, scoring against United and Bournemouth as Arne Slot's men recorded three wins out of three in their opening games.
After selling Isak, Newcastle had released a cold 37-word statement that read: "Newcastle United can announce the sale of striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a significant British record transfer fee,β read a club statement.
βThe Sweden international joined the Magpies from Real Sociedad in 2022 and made 109 appearances in all competitions."
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