Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool celebrates victory following the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 20, 2025 in London, England.placeholder image
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool celebrates victory following the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 20, 2025 in London, England. | Getty Images
Newcastle United failed three times to sign Hugo Ekitike before his eventual move to Liverpool.
Hugo Ekitke has told journalists he “doesn’t care” about Newcastle United and is happily enjoying life at Liverpool.
Not once, not twice but three times did the Frenchman snub a move to St James' Park. Toon chiefs identified Ekitike - then a 19-year-old - as one of their targets early into the Saudi-backed era.
Then at Reims, Ekitike stayed put before turning down another approach in July 2022 to join Paris Saint-Germain. The move did not work out - with the forward reviving his career in Germany at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Newcastle United x Liverpool saga revisited
Newcastle renewed their interest last summer but were beaten to the punch by Liverpool. It is understood that Frankfurt rejected a club-record £70million from the Magpies.
To make matters worse, the Reds soon moved to unsettle Alexander Isak. Hopes of pairing the duo in black-and-white stripes were dashed, with both now fighting for the No.9 spot at Anfield.
While Ekitike has proven a hit - scoring against Qarabag last night - Toon fans can take solace in Isak’s demise. The Swede has scored just three goals since his British record move and is currently sidelined with a broken leg.
‘I don’t care’ - Hugo Ekitike
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Ekitike has dismissed facing a potentially hostile away end on Saturday. He said: “I don't care. I play for Liverpool, I have my fans here, we played there (Newcastle) already and won so hopefully we will have a great week of working. I don't care about this, I just want to play and help the team. It is simple.
“Obviously we were close (to signing for Newcastle) but I made my choice. I knew where I wanted to come, so that's all I can give to you. Liverpool fans’ support means a lot. I play for the fans, they give me so much energy.
"Sometimes in games when I haven't scored you hear your name from the crowd and it's a great feeling. It was what I was dreaming of as a kid and it made me live that so I'm grateful and I want to give more to them to make them happy. We have the quality, I really believe things will go well.”
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Eddie Howe on Hugo Ekitike
Eddie Howe admitted that Ekitike is a player he chased before the two clubs met in August. He told reporters: "There's no doubt I really like Hugo and have done for a number of years. He's got really good qualities, and he showed that in his first Premier League game, he had a really good debut against Bournemouth.
"He's got really good movement, intelligent, good in the air, scores goals, scores off both feet. Our job will be to keep him quiet. He is going to be a threat this year."
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