Developments, every day!
Per Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle United have reportedly left the race for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, leaving Liverpool FC as the frontrunner for the 23-year-old French striker.
Understand Newcastle have now already left talks for Hugo Ekitike, deal considered off at this stage.#NUFC now focus on different targets as since Monday bid got rejected, Liverpool entered race + there were no advances with the Magpies.
Liverpool are now advancing pic.twitter.com/zXiITtMPhx
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2025
This has been co-signed by several local reporters on the Liverpool FC beat, including David Lynch, and Andy Hunter of the Guardian.
Liverpool moving forward in talks with Eintracht Frankfurt for Hugo Ekitike, with an offer now expected in the coming days.
— David Lynch (@davidlynchlfc) July 17, 2025
That bit Romano had about Newcastle moving onto other targets has also been confirmed by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, with them targeting Brentford’s Yoane Wissa.
Newcastle exploring move to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford after cooling Hugo Ekitike interest. No #NUFC / #BrentfordFC contact yet but expected soon + personal terms also need to be agreed. Availability & price may depend on Mbeumo case @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/0cx3QFDurz
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 17, 2025
I assume Liverpool had some kind of encouragement from Alexander Isak’s camp that led them to send an official approach to Newcastle but the player hasn’t really rocked the boat with his club so far.
My assumption had always been that Liverpool would quickly shift course to prioritise an Isak move if that opens up, but it seems the whole “sell us Isak or we’ll buy Ekitike” gambit has made it clear behind the scenes that he isn’t and given them the answer.
Ekitike meanwhile looks like he was waiting for Liverpool all along, even amid Chelsea interest earlier in the window, and it seems like he’ll now get his wish. I was pretty happy with either Isak or Ekitike, and it now looks like Liverpool’s next number 9 will be French and a big fan of fancy Oakley goggles.