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With Newcastle standing firm on Alexander Isak, Liverpool could be forced to explore its plan B - although that could see it fighting it out with the Magpies again.
The Reds have now made an approach for Isak after months of speculation linking the striker with a move to Anfield. A formal offer has not been made, although interest has been expressed in securing a deal worth $161 million (£120M).
That has been met with a swift response from Newcastle though, with the St James’ Park club insisting the 25-year-old is not for sale, as it has done throughout the summer so far.
Liverpool could therefore look to its plan B, with Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie claiming that the Reds will rival Newcastle for the signing of Hugo Ekitike.
Newcastle has already tried and failed in an attempt to sign Ekitike, having launched a $94M (£70M) offer on Monday. That was rejected by Eintracht Frankfurt, with the German club reportedly believing there are other clubs who have signalled they are willing to pay more for the Ekitike, who is valued at $114M (£85M).
And that’s where Liverpool might be able to step in. According to Downie, the Reds are expected to go for Ekitike now that they know Isak will be staying put in the north-east.
That could put it in direct competition with Newcastle if it chooses to continue its pursuit. Recent reports have suggested that Eddie Howe doesn’t see Ekitike as a possible replacement for Isak, rather as someone who could play alongside the Swedish international.
The Magpies are in need of a new striker after Callum Wilson departed the club as a free agent, leaving their options in the No. 9 role beyond Isak very much limited. However, Liverpool could put Newcastle in a pinch by going after Ekitike.
Liverpool, meanwhile, could offload Darwin Nunez this summer, although a move for a new striker doesn’t look to be dependent on the money the Uruguayan would bring in. Luis Diaz also continues to be linked with a move away, with a $79M bid having been rejected from Bayern Munich.
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Liverpool.com says: Liverpool’s approach for Isak does look as though it might have borne out of Newcastle’s bid for Ekitike. With that offer having been rejected though, it does feel like the Reds are in the stronger position again.
If it’s clear that Newcastle won’t be budged on Isak, then it only makes sense for Liverpool to turn its attention to Ekitike. It might take Isak to actively express a desire to leave for the Magpies to change their stance.
And in some ways, Newcastle has already done the ground work for Liverpool with Ekitike, with the Reds now knowing what it will take to sign him. He might be a ‘plan B’, but he is still a very decent option to have.
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