Hugo Ekitike turned back on Newcastle transfer agreement after one Liverpool phone call

Hugo Ekitike has scored 13 goals for Liverpool this season but the 23-year-old striker was very close to joining Newcastle after a 10-day agreement was reached before the Reds intervened

Hugo Ekitike almost joined Newcastle(Image: Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Newcastle United supporters might be left pondering what could have been when Hugo Ekitike steps onto the pitch for Liverpool in their clash on Saturday night. The 23 year old has proven to be a stellar acquisition for the Reds, having already netted 13 goals this season.

However, he's likely to receive a lively welcome from the visiting fans at Anfield, given that he was on the brink of joining the Magpies before signing with Liverpool. Eddie Howe and his team put in considerable effort last summer to recruit new talent, and they likely thought they had Ekitike's signature in the bag before Arne Slot's squad swooped in.

In a rather harsh twist of fate, Liverpool also snapped up Alexander Isak, effectively stealing what could have been Newcastle's top strike duo for the upcoming season in one swift move.

Ahead of the match against Newcastle, Ekitike was questioned about the potential reaction from the away end on Saturday.

"I don't care. I play for Liverpool, I have my fans here, we played there (Newcastle) already and won so hopefully we will have a great week of working. I don't care about this, I just want to play and help the team. It is simple," he stated.

"Obviously we were close [to signing for Newcastle] but I made my choice. I knew where I wanted to come, so that's all I can give to you. Liverpool fans' support means a lot. I play for the fans, they give me so much energy.", reports the Liverpool Echo.

"Sometimes in games when I haven't scored you hear your name from the crowd and it's a great feeling. It was what I was dreaming of as a kid and it made me live that so I'm grateful and I want to give more to them to make them happy. We have the quality, I really believe things will go well."

However, Ekitike came remarkably close to joining Newcastle, as agent Ali Barat later disclosed.

Ekitike has been superb throughout the season(Image: Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Speaking to TuttoSport, he said: "Hugo Ekitike. I was working on behalf of Eintracht Frankfurt to bring him to Newcastle. I stayed in Germany for 10 days. We agreed everything with the German club and the player, then Liverpool called him and he chose Anfield."

Discussing Ekitike before Liverpool made their move, Howe said: "I think there's no doubting that I really like Hugo and have done for a number of years. He's someone that we've tracked for a long time."

Following his goal for Liverpool against Qarabag in Wednesday night's Champions League fixture, Ekitike, whom some supporters have likened to Fernando Torres, received glowing praise from Reds legend Steven Gerrard.

"I love this kid [Ekitike], I think he's just gonna get better and better, what a signing he's been so far," said the iconic number eight. "The main positive is these two [Ekitike and Wirtz]... the timing of the pass and the finish, they're growing and evolving and that connection, they're on the same wavelength."