**Newcastle manager Eddie Howe says he is a huge admirer of Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike.**
The Magpies were interested in recruiting the Frenchman before the Reds swooped in, and Howe admitted that he has actually tried to buy the forward on more than one occasion:
“A very, very good player. I think it is well known I have liked him for a number of years – I tried to sign him twice.”
“He has got a bit of everything. He has great movement, can score with both feet, he’s good in the air and dribbles with the ball really well. He is a big talent.”
Ekitike has been a big success on Merseyside
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Many questioned the £69m transfer fee paid for the 23-year-old back in the summer, but it already looks as if the money has been well spent.
[**Ekitike**](https://walkon.com/blog/liverpool-news-hugo-ekitike-nasri/) has scored 13 goals and provided 4 assists in 31 appearances so far this campaign. He looks to be on course to hit the 20-goal mark in his first year at the club.
2 of Liverpool’s big summer signings are beginning to gel
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Ekitike seems to have struck up a good understanding with Florian Wirtz, which can only be a good thing for the future. Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard pointed out that the pair are on the “same wavelength” following the 6-0 win over Qarabag earlier this week.
As Howe mentions as well, it does help that Ekitike is very much an all-rounder. His attributes make him capable of both being able to hold up the ball and run in behind defences.
You would say his finishing can still do with a bit of work, but that would be nitpicking. There can be no argument that Ekitike has been the pick of the bunch from the club’s summer recruits.
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