Newcastle looks to have given Liverpool the green light to sign Hugo Ekitike, with the Magpies now looking at alternative options.
Liverpool looks to be advancing on Ekitike as Newcastle stands firm on Alexander Isak, with the Reds now ready to make a bid for the Eintracht Frankfurt striker. It will take more than the $94 million (£70M) already offered by the Toon, although that shouldn’t be a problem for Liverpool, given it already made its intentions clear with Isak.
The Reds’ made an approach for the Swedish international earlier this week, expressing their interest in securing a record $161 million (£120M) deal. Newcastle immediately pushed back on that, leading Liverpool to pursue its plan B.
An approach was made to Frankfurt on Wednesday for Ekitike, and things look to have progressed quickly, with Liverpool now looking as though it could steal the striker from under Newcastle’s nose after the Magpies failed with their own bid this week.
The Reds are now ready to bid for the 23-year-old, with Ekitike favoring a move to Anfield as Newcastle now looks to have opened the door for Liverpool.
Not only is Eddie Howe’s side standing firm on Isak, but they also look to be cooling their interest in Ekitike, with The Athletic reporting that Newcastle is now exploring a deal for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa.
Contact has not yet been made with Brentford, although it is expected soon, while personal terms would also need to be agreed with the player.
Nottingham Forest has already seen an offer rejected for Wissa this summer. His contract at Brentford expires next year, although the Bees do have the option to extend his deal by a further 12 months.
Newcastle had been prioritizing a move for Ekitike, with previous reports indicating the club didn’t see him as a replacement for Isak, rather as someone who could play alongside him.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
The Magpies though are not actively working on a deal for the Ekitike now, which looks to have given Liverpool the green light to make its move.
The Reds have been targeting a new No.9 this summer, with Darwin Nunez likely to move on, despite a move to Napoli now looking as though it could be off the table.
Luis Diaz also continues to be linked with a move away after Bayern Munich had a bid rejected earlier this week, making a new forward imperative for the Reds.