Hugo Ekitike says it was a “pleasure” to see Alexander Isak leave Newcastle United and join him at Liverpool.
The sight of the two playing up front together for Liverpool will be painful for Newcastle United fans.
Indeed, Newcastle tried to sign Ekitike but he ended up moving to Anfield. After a protracted and ugly transfer saga, Isak would eventually join him.
It gives Arne Slot’s side one of the most dangerous attacks in world football, given Mohamed Salah shows little sign of slowing down too.
While Newcastle have an exciting-looking frontline too after the additions of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, there’s little doubt Liverpool’s attacking options are now the stuff of envy.
Ekitike could have replaced Isak at Newcastle but will now compete with him for a starting berth under Slot on Merseyside.
Still, he’s delighted about that.
- READ MORE: What Newcastle United insiders have strangely accepted following Alexander Isak’s move to Liverpool
Hugo Ekitike pleased to see Alexander Isak leave Newcastle United
Speaking to reporters (via Liverpool’s official website), the Frenchman said it was a “pleasure” to see Isak follow him to Anfield.
He accepts that playing for a club like Liverpool will always mean there will be strong competition for places.
“When you play for the best teams, you inevitably expect to be competing with the best players,” he said.
“Isak is a player I used to watch, so seeing him arrive is a pleasure.
“It’s going to be tough competition, but I’m going to work hard to be good and perform well so that it’s just the coach’s problem.”
Ekitike has already scored two goals in his first three Premier League games, including against Newcastle in Liverpool’s 3-2 win at St James’ Park.
How close Newcastle United came to signing Hugo Ekitike
The forward has been linked with Newcastle for years. The Magpies tracked him before they even signed Isak, though first lost out to Paris Saint-Germain when he left boyhood club Reims.
Super-agent Ali Barat has revealed that Newcastle had agreed a deal to sign Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, only for him to end up choosing Liverpool.
He told Tuttosport: “I was working on behalf of Eintracht Frankfurt to bring him to Newcastle.
“I stayed in Germany for ten days. We agreed everything with the German club and the player, then Liverpool called him and he chose Anfield.”
Eddie Howe is a big fan of Ekitike but, sadly for Newcastle, he now looks entirely unattainable.
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