While it has been claimed that Liverpool hijacked Newcastle‘s move for Hugo Ekitike, the champions are baffled – having begun their pursuit months previous.
The situation around Alexander Isak and his attempts to force a transfer to Liverpool has sparked paranoia among Newcastle supporters.
A popular theory on Tyneside is that the Reds shot themselves in the foot with their £79 million signing of Ekitike earlier in the summer, as that blocked Newcastle from landing him as Isak’s replacement.
But Liverpool officials were left “baffled” by claims they hijacked Newcastle‘s deal for the Frenchman – as they began laying their own groundwork for a transfer at the beginning of the year.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 15, 2025: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates with team-mates after scoring the opening goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
That is according to The Athletic‘s James Pearce, who reports that contact with Ekitike’s representatives began in January before the striker spoke with Arne Slot in May.
Liverpool had been linked with the 23-year-old throughout the year, with the Mail‘s Lewis Steele frequently mentioning him as being of interest to scouts.
And while it is normal for players to explore their options in the market it is clear that a move to Anfield was more attractive than St James’ Park.
That should end any conspiracy over Liverpool intentionally damaging Newcastle‘s transfer plans, along with bizarre suggestions that they should have ended talks with Ekitike to ensure a pathway to signing Isak.
With Luis Diaz making it known that he wanted to leave this summer and a decision made to part ways with Darwin Nunez, the champions will have long been aware they needed to sign two strikers.
HONG KONG - Saturday, July 26, 2025: Liverpool's Darwin Núñez (L) and Luis Díaz during the Hong Kong Football Festival 2025 pre-season match against AC Milan at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on Day Six of the club's Asia Tour. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The tragic death of Diogo Jota only intensified the need to strengthen Slot’s attack and moves for both Ekitike and, if it goes through as hoped, Isak will have been deemed essential.
Newcastle have continued to struggle in signing their top targets, with moves for strikers Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Benjamin Sesko also failing, while no progress has been made over Brentford‘s Yoane Wissa either.
It is evident that St James’ Park is not yet the elite destination it is seen as on Tyneside, and that Newcastle cannot compete with their Premier League rivals in the market.
Sources in the northeast maintain that any deal for Isak is still contingent on a replacement being signed first, with Wolves‘ Jorgen Strand Larsen, PSG’s Goncalo Ramos, Chelsea‘s Nicolas Jackson and Porto’s Samu Aghehowa all linked.