Liverpool are about to intensify club-to-club negotiations for a big striker signing today – putting Newcastle’s masterclass plan in jeopardy.
Newcastale’s dream scenario is to keep Alexander Isak AND sign Hugo Ekitike. Sources state that the “Magpies” want both strikers in the squad, and Eddie Howe could even start with both. It is not the case that Ekitike will only come if Isaac disappears.
Read: Real Madrid gears up, prepares for a €150 million signing
Isak, however, is Liverpoole’s priority target in the striker position. The reigning Premier League champions have signalled that they are willing to bid for a British record sum of £120 million if Newcastle give the slightest sign of openness to a sale.
Liverpool would not have shown such obvious interest without receiving some kind of encouragement from the player himself.
Isak open to Liverpool transfer
Transfer expert Romano has revealed that Isak has not rejected Liverpool’s interest, and that the player is “open” to a move to Anfield. This came after the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope reported on Isak’s dissatisfaction with his current contract at Newcastle.
The matter is made more complicated by the fact that Ekitike is also on Liverpool’s striker list. Arne Slot’s team have placed the Eintracht Frankfurt striker as their first reserve choice if they can’t get hold of Isak.
Sky Sports: Newcastle won’t sell Isak
On Wednesday, Sky Sports firmly reported that Newcastle will NOT sell Isak. According to Romano’s latest updates, the signs now point to Newcastle keeping Isak, while Liverpool instead securing Ekitike.
This will ruin Newcastle’s plans to use both strikers, although keeping Isak – who is perhaps the Premier League’s most complete No. 9 – is invaluable to the club.
Romano wrote on social media:
“Rumours of progress in the Hugo Ekitike transfer to Newcastle have not been confirmed. Newcastale’s latest bid was rejected by Eintracht on Monday and no new offers have been sent since. No progress… and Liverpool are up and running. More to follow.”
He added
: “Liverpool are currently in active talks with Eintracht Frankfurt about Hugo Ekitike. While the Isaac case depends on Newcastale’s final decision, as they insist he is not for sale… Liverpool are also making progress on both the club and player side for Ekitike.”
Eintracht Frankfurt the big winner
Frankfurt value Ekitike at around 100 million euros and hoped for a bidding war between the Premier League clubs.
At the time of publication of this article, Newcastle are the only club to have made a bid for the Frenchman. Their offer was 80 million euros, so the news that Liverpool have now started direct negotiations will be well received in the German club.
If Newcastle close the door on an Isak sale as expected, at the same time as they fight Liverpool for Ekitike, Frankfurt will be able to push up the final transfer fee.
According to Sky Germany, Liverpool are willing to bid more than Newcastale’s initial offer:
“Liverpool are willing to pay more than Newcastale’s bid for Hugo Ekitike, and Eintracht Frankfurt have been informed of this.”
Read: Antonio Nusa is number three or four on Barcelona’s wish list
