Alexander Isak’s statistics compared to Hugo Ekitike as Newcastle United target heads for Liverpool medical

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Liverpool look set to complete the signing of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, but Newcastle United statistically have the better player in Alexander Isak.

The entire transfer saga has dragged on, even if it started around two weeks ago.

Newcastle United were linked with a move for Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt. The Frenchman is a player well known to Toon fans, with the striker rejecting a move to Tyneside on multiple occasions before signing for Paris Saint-Germain in 2022.

After a successful season in the Bundesliga, Newcastle were very keen on signing Ekitike and even placed a bid of around £70million for him. However, the bid was knocked back and Liverpool approached Frankfurt for Ekitike.

The 23-year-old has since been on Merseyside for his medical and to formally complete his move to Liverpool. In the meantime, Newcastle are eager to keep hold of Alexander Isak. Eddie Howe chose to keep Isak out of the Newcastle squad for their defeat to Celtic on Saturday due to speculation around his future.

Howe is adamant Isak loves Newcastle and will not leave. It looks as though the Magpies will still be better off if the Sweden international stays on Tyneside, as we compare statistics between him and Ekitike.

• Who is Alexander Isak? The striker who burned his Newcastle United reputation to force £125m Liverpool transfer

Alexander Isak is much better in front of goal than Hugo Ekitike

Liverpool fans think they can sign Isak as well as Ekitike, but with Newcastle holding firm on their stance that he is not for sale, a deal is highly unlikely this summer.

Isak was sensational for Newcastle last season, scoring 23 goals in the Premier League alone and even finding the back of the net against the Reds during the Carabao Cup final in March.

Ekitike gives Liverpool a young and talented striker who has impressed over the last 18 months, but he will have a lot to prove in the Premier League. His time in France was a disaster, but he picked it up again in Germany.

A statistical comparison over the last two seasons reveals a significant difference in one major area: goalscoring. Isak trumps Ekitike in every avenue, scoring more goals, having a better xG (expected goals), and a much better shot conversion rate.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool are paying around £70m for Ekitike. He will need to hit the ground running to make that price tag worth it.

• READ MORE – Newcastle United never had a chance with Liverpool set to pay Hugo Ekitike eye-watering wages

When Hugo Ekitike will first face Newcastle United with Liverpool

Ekitike was open to joining Newcastle in 2022, but wanted to realise his dream of playing for PSG. He could have made amends for lost time in 2025, but instead opted for Liverpool when Newcastle backed out of the deal after one bid.

Many will see the move to back out as a way of getting Liverpool to sign a striker and quash their interest in Isak – a clever move. It remains to be seen whether Isak will be a Newcastle player after next season, with Howe eager to give him a new contract.

Ekitike missed Newcastle’s Champions League win against PSG in 2023, but there will surely be no hiding from the St James’ Park crowd when Liverpool come to Tyneside next month.

In their first home game of the season, Newcastle play Liverpool on August 25, the first meeting between the two teams since the Carabao Cup final in March.

Both teams will have a point to prove, and St James’ Park is expected to be rocking. With the game taking place on a Monday night, anything could happen.