What Liverpool have now done after claim that Hugo Ekitike to Newcastle United is ‘advanced’

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In a perfect world, Newcastle United will keep Alexander Isak away from Liverpool and sign Hugo Ekitike ahead of them.

That is Eddie Howe’s ambition, as the Magpies plot their biggest signing ever. It has been claimed in Germany that Ekitike to Newcastle is ‘advanced’.

This comes after Newcastle’s £70million Ekitike bid was rejected. That would have broken the club’s transfer record, eclipsing the £63million deal that saw Alexander Isak move to St James’ Park in 2022.

Newcastle want Ekitike and Isak to play together, while Liverpool are eager for one of them to be wearing red next season.

• Who is Hugo Ekitike? Meet the striker who could become Newcastle United’s record signing

Liverpool make their move to rival Newcastle United for Hugo Ekitike

Newcastle are not selling Isak, so it will not be him.

It could be Ekitike though, as Arne Slot’s side make their first move to bring the 23-year-old to Anfield.

According to the Athletic’s David Ornstein, Liverpool have approached Eintracht Frankfurt about signing Ekitike this summer.

That represents good news and bad news for Newcastle United. On the one hand, it perhaps means they are giving up on Isak. On the other, it puts the Magpies’ pursuit of Ekitike at risk of collapsing.

Whoever does win the race for the Frenchman will have to break the bank to get him. Frankfurt want £86million for Ekitike, which is £16million more than Newcastle’s opening offer.

The Hugo Ekitike advantage Liverpool have over Newcastle United

While Newcastle want Isak and Ekitike to play together at St James’ Park, the former is always going to be the main man. If Howe decides to play just one striker and has all of his options available, it is Isak whose name will be on the teamsheet.

In contrast, Liverpool will be signing Ekitike with the intention of him being their lead striker. They are in the market for a new forward, with Darwin Nunez in contention to leave the Premier League champions.

That is why Liverpool eyed an ambitious move for Isak. However, Newcastle continue to stand firm.

That could inadvertently cause Newcastle to miss out on Ekitike for the third time. He rejected moves to Tyneside twice in 2022, but there was hope that this would be third time lucky.

However, Liverpool are aiming to put an end to that dream.