-
News
- 27 minutes ago
Liverpool make move to beat Newcastle to Ekitike transfer – David Ornstein
Suraj Radia
- Updated: 16 Jul 2025 15:45 BST
- 4 min read
News
David Ornstein has revealed that Liverpool have made contact with Eintracht Frankfurt over signing Hugo Ekitike after seemingly being unable to convince Newcastle to consider their approach for Alexander Isak this summer.
Isak is the Merseyside club’s ideal choice to strengthen up front but Newcastle have insisted the 25-year-old is not for sale this summer, even with Liverpool being willing to break the British transfer record for the second time in the transfer window to get their top target.
The situation has led to Liverpool exploring a move for Ekitike as an alternative in an intriguing play due to Newcastle also currently being in talks to sign the Frenchman.
Newcastle have had their first offer of around €80 million turned down by Frankfurt but they are still believed to be progressing in talks with the German side, however Ornstein and The Athletic report that Liverpool are now set to make their move as well.
An approach has been made by Liverpool, with Frankfurt ideally holding out for the 23-year-old’s €100m release clause, although Newcastle are believed to be further advanced in their talks as well as personal terms for Ekitike.
Newcastle have insisted that they are targeting Ekitike as a partner for Isak rather than a replacement, with the Magpies being willing to break their transfer record in order to beat Liverpool to the forward’s signing.
Liverpool set to battle with Newcastle to sign Ekitike
Ekitike has proven to be a highly-coveted player this summer after a breakout full debut campaign for Frankfurt in which he scored 15 goals and grabbed eight assists in 33 Bundesliga games and Newcastle have pursued the youngster on multiple occasions in the last three years.
A striker has become top of Liverpool’s agenda after spending more than €200m already this summer, with Darwin Nunez still expected to leave the club despite talks ending with Napoli over the Uruguayan’s sale.
Liverpool’s ideal targets would be one of Isak or Ekitike in a move which would frustrate Newcastle either way, although they would much prefer to keep hold of their talismanic striker in any situation.
Newcastle are believed to be relaxed over Isak’s future, with the player not currently pushing for an exit and having three years remaining on his contract and they will be hopeful their long-term tracking of Ekitike could prove to be the difference if the Frankfurt man was forced to make the choice between the joining them or Liverpool.
Football transfer news headlines today
DONE DEALS: Every official completed transfer around Europe today
Fabrizio Romano confirms OFFICIAL Arsenal signing
Chelsea star CONFIRMS transfer plan amid summer exit rumours
CONFIRMED: Man Utd eye Nicolas Jackson transfer
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
