Liverpool have turned their attention to Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike after being informed that Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak is not available for transfer.
The Premier League champions had been tracking Isak for some time, but sources indicate that Newcastle are unwilling to part ways with the Swedish international, who is currently valued at no less than £150 million. Isak, who has three years remaining on his contract, remains a vital part of Eddie Howe’s squad and is not expected to leave St James’ Park this summer.
With the door closed on a potential move for Isak, Liverpool are now positioning themselves to compete for Ekitike, one of the most sought-after strikers in the current transfer market. The Reds have been monitoring the 23-year-old for several weeks and could make a formal approach soon.
Newcastle, however, are already ahead in the race for the Frankfurt forward. The club submitted a record-breaking £70 million offer within the last 24 hours, but that bid was rejected. Frankfurt are believed to be holding out for closer to £85 million and have been made aware that other clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea, may be prepared to enter the fray.
This is not Newcastle’s first attempt to sign Ekitike. The club made a move for him in 2022, but the striker opted to join Paris Saint-Germain instead. Frankfurt later signed him from PSG for just £14 million last summer, and he has since flourished, scoring 22 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions and helping the club qualify for the Champions League.
While no official bid has been made by Liverpool, insiders suggest the club is weighing its options and may soon rival Newcastle’s pursuit. Liverpool have spent much of the summer exploring striker options to replace Roberto Firmino and diversify their attacking line-up. With Isak no longer a possibility, Ekitike has emerged as a top alternative.
Newcastle, meanwhile, held talks with Ekitike’s representatives in Austria on Monday. Though they remain confident of completing the signing, Liverpool’s entry into the race is expected to complicate matters. Frankfurt are likely to benefit from the increased interest, as they aim to drive the price higher amid Premier League competition.
Ekitike’s profile has grown significantly over the past year. Once seen as a raw talent during his time at Stade Reims, he is now regarded as one of Europe’s most promising young strikers. At Reims, coaches designed a development program for him inspired by players like Kylian Mbappe, and Ekitike quickly rose above expectations. Former manager Oscar Garcia recalls that Ekitike was never short on ambition and aimed to be compared with the very best.
His growth has not gone unnoticed. Analysts have compared his style and statistical output to that of Isak, noting that Ekitike actually posted better attacking metrics in the Bundesliga last season than Isak did in the Premier League. He is a forward known not only for his goal-scoring but also for his ability to create chances and link up play.
With Newcastle pushing to bring in a new attacking option and Liverpool actively seeking a striker, Ekitike is now at the centre of one of the summer’s most high-profile transfer battles. While Newcastle have already made a move, Liverpool’s financial power and need for reinforcement could shift the momentum.
As it stands, Alexander Isak is expected to stay put. But the race for Hugo Ekitike is heating up and Frankfurt appear to be holding the stronger hand.
