What a contrasting 24 hours it has been for Newcastle United fans.
Monday brought news that we were in advanced talks over a club-record move for Hugo Ekitike, with plans to play the Frenchman alongside Alexander Isak.
Today, after news that our £70m bid for the Frankfurt star has been rejected, Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein report that Liverpool have made their move for Isak, approaching Newcastle over a potential deal worth £120m.
Sky Sports’ Keith Downie has now weighed in on the matter, which involves two strikers and two clubs and what appears to be a complex game of cat and mouse between Newcastle and Liverpool.
Speaking from outside St James’ Park, he reports that Liverpool are aware of Isak’s ‘not for sale’ tag and feel he is staying at Newcastle this summer, with Toon chiefs valuing the Swede at £150m+.
While this is a positive sign, it seems this setback for the Reds has pushed them to pursue Ekitike, with Downie reporting that Liverpool will now attempt to hijack Newcastle’s bid to sign the 23-year-old now Isak looks set to stay.
Downie confirms that we had a club-record bid worth £70m turned down by Frankfurt this morning, with Sky Germany reporting that an unnamed club is prepared to pay more than this figure for the former PSG and Reims talent.
Watch Downie’s latest update below from Tyneside on Tuesday afternoon:
BREAKING: Liverpool are expected to rival Newcastle for Hugo Ekitike after being told Alexander Isak is not for sale in this window 🚨 pic.twitter.com/wbSRjjtNzy
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 15, 2025
So you are aware that you have been coveted since 2022, and a deal has been agreed in principle. Then someone shows up, who have shown any interst at all. I’d tell em to F Off
PremAndUp(Quote)
Is any of this true. If they; Frankfurt made this public knowledge then we should be on our bike. We have Explained the value and payments on offer and to be fair they have turned it down without dragging it out stating another club interested. Ok talk to them and see what they come up with and we can go elsewhere.
If they don’t get a better offer then come back. They are reported as having agreed the sell on clause. They have to meet that part of the bargain not inflate the value by 20% if that is true.
The little birdy(Quote)