An update has arrived this afternoon on Newcastle’s transfer tug of war involving Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, Frankfurt and Liverpool.
Strong claims arrived this lunchtime from Sky Germany, who reported that Ekitike’s move to Newcastle was ‘advancing’ after ‘significant progress‘ was made during positive talks between the club and player.
That suggested we were pressing on with our bid to sign the Frenchman while maintaining the stance that Liverpool target Alexander Isak was not for sale.
This could still be the case, but Liverpool have now made their move in return, it seems, as The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that Liverpool have approached Eintracht Frankfurt over a potential deal for Ekitike.
Ornstein insists that Newcastle remain in the mix and are also trying to land the 23-year-old Frenchman, but states that our last bid – worth £65 – was turned down by the Bundesliga club.
As revealed yesterday, Liverpool have also communicated their interest in signing Isak to Newcastle, signalling a willingness to pay £120m for the Swedish striker.
However, with Toon chiefs having no desire to sell Isak, especially not to a Premier League rival, our stubborn ‘not for sale’ approach may have pushed the Reds to target Ekitike instead.
The question is, do Liverpool REALLY want Ekitike or are they bluffing? It’s a game of cat and mouse and it feels to me like Newcastle are in the more powerful position, despite some suggesting that Liverpool hold all the aces.
🚨 Liverpool contact Eintracht Frankfurt over possible move for Hugo Ekitike. #LFC working on 23yo #SGE forward, having also approached Newcastle for Alexander Isak. #NUFC want to keep 25yo + Ekitike interest ongoing. W/ @SebSB @ChrisDHWaugh @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/UBUqsV1dCj
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 16, 2025
If Liverpool open contract negotiations with him then we aren’t getting him
Haz(Quote)
There is no “transfer tug of war”
Liverpool have not made an offer for Isak .. most reports conclude they enquired and were told no..
isak is looking at a new contract a bumper pay rise champions league football and a much more competitive team next season if Liverpool offered £150 million then let’s take it ..isak at liverpool won’t be the main striker .. and salah is the top man
Hugo is over priced and over hyped all on one good season .. marmoush his strike partner scored more goals at eintracht and was sold to city for £56 million( he then scored a hat trick against us ).., Hugo is not worth £70 or £80 million
Newcastle will walk away if the price is not right ..
I don’t see a transfer tug of war .. only the clown content fillers in the rabid media
Mike(Quote)