Newcastle United have now discovered the fate of their Hugo Ekitike pursuit.
Hope of a club record deal for Newcastle United has been fading, with Liverpool moving to sign Ekitike.
The Reds are desperate to sign a striker, which is why they want Alexander Isak. He has always been their number one target, but Newcastle do not want to sell Isak.
Their alternative to Isak is Ekitike, so Newcastle United have been in a win-win situation all along.
While Eddie Howe has wanted Ekitike at St James’ Park, the latest update from Fabrizio Romano suggests that the Newcastle United recruitment team have accepted defeat.
Romano has written on X: “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.
Newcastle United fans know Alexander Isak is staying after Hugo Ekitike update
Newcastle United fans are normally in despair when they miss out on a transfer target, but not on this occasion.
Instead, Toon fans on X are celebrating Romano’s Ekitike update. That is because it ultimately means that Isak is staying at St James’ Park.
One Newcastle United supporter wrote: “Hahahahah little old Newcastle bullied Liverpool into getting their SECOND choice striker. I am alive.”
“Isak stays. Happy days,” added a second Toon fan.
“Oh no. We’ll have to keep Isak now,” hilariously remarked another Newcastle fan in response to Romano’s Ekitike update.
This member of the Toon Army posted: “#NUFC successfully bait #LFC into buying Ekitike so Isak stays with us. Which was literally the point all along.”
This is actually the dream scenario for Newcastle United as striker search continues
In a perfect world, Newcastle would have Isak and Ekitike up front. However, that is not going to happen.
It is a blow, but realistically it is the best outcome for Newcastle. Geordie Boot Boys wrote on Tuesday that Newcastle should give up on Ekitike and let him go to Liverpool, as it would end their interest in Isak.

That is exactly what is happening. Now Newcastle fans can focus on a future with Isak playing in black and white, while also getting set for the Magpies’ next striker target.
It has been reported that Newcastle could turn to Benjamin Sesko, while Yoane Wissa is also an option for the Magpies.
The Brentford forward was linked before the Ekitike saga, while David Ornstein has reported for the Athletic that Newcastle are going to explore a deal for the 28-year-old after distancing themselves from the Frenchman.
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