11 hours ago
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Hugo Ekitike is not only trying to make his mark for Liverpool following his big-money transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt — he will also have one eye on the France squad ahead of next summer's World Cup.
Ekitike has started his Liverpool career in encouraging fashion, scoring against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, and allaying fears that some Reds supporters had about going into the season without an established striker.
One suspects links with Alexander Isak will persist until the transfer window officially closes, but for now, it does not look as though that deal will happen.
Ekitike is expected to lead the line when Liverpool travels to Newcastle on Monday, when he will be looking to score for his new team for a third game in succession.
If he does that, he would surely stand a decent chance of being selected when Didier Deschamps names his France squad for the upcoming international break two days later.
Deschamps will name his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland on Wednesday, and Telefoot says that Ekitike is in a strong position to receive a call-up, although Deschamps has not yet made a final decision.
Ekitike, who has never played for France's senior team, could benefit from Randal Kolo Muani's situation at Paris Saint-Germain. Juventus wants to sign Kolo Muani after he enjoyed a decent loan spell in Turin last season, but a deal is yet to be agreed, leaving Kolo Muani in limbo.
Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said that he maintains a good relationship with Magpies striker Isak despite the player making it clear that he wants to leave the club to join Liverpool.
"I haven't seen him this week but when I see him we speak as normal, there are no issues there," said Howe. "It's a difficult situation from both sides and it's far from ideal for both parties.
"When we bump into each other we speak, but as I say I've not seen him this week as he's training later on and detached from the group. We will catch up at some stage and hopefully speak soon."
Asked whether he hopes Isak will be integrated back into the Newcastle squad, he responded: "Yes, of course. He's contracted to us, he's our player. My wish is that he would be playing on Monday night with us. But he won't be and that's regrettable.
"I have no doubt about how the players will feel [about Isak returning]. They will feel the same way I do. Alex is a fantastic player, he's a good person, a good character and a good lad. If Alex wanted to come back and play for us, the players would welcome him."
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