Once again, Newcastle United have been met with frustration in their attempts to sign Hugo Ekitike.
As was the case in 2022, Newcastle United went big in their pursuit of Ekitike, only to fail to sign him.
Indeed, the striker joined Paris Saint-Germain instead of the Magpies when leaving Reims three years ago.
Earlier this month, Newcastle made a big offer for Ekitike but saw that rejected by Eintracht Frankfurt.
Ekitike agreed personal terms with Newcastle but now appears to be destined to move elsewhere.
Still, it might not be Liverpool after all.
- READ MORE: Liverpool make private ‘threat’ to Newcastle United, it has really not gone down well with PIF
Manchester United battle Liverpool for Hugo Ekitike
According to French football expert Julien Laurens on social media platform X, Newcastle simply couldn’t go higher than the initial bid they made to Frankfurt.
As such, they are now out of the race.
However, Liverpool will not have it all their own way. Laurens suggests that Manchester United are also in the running, and that the German club are yet to reach an agreement with any of the interested parties.
Frankfurt want more than £69million for the 23-year-old.
Newcastle United have another target in mind amid Hugo Ekitike blow
Newcastle could target Benjamin Sesko after they missed out on Ekitike, and his signing would be another statement of intent.
The RB Leipzig forward scored 21 goals in 45 games for the German outfit last season and has previously been linked with a move to Newcastle.
Arsenal were also said to have been keen on the Slovenia international but now appear to be turning their attention to Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.
Sesko’s huge salary demands may be a problem for Newcastle but, clearly, they look prepared to pay big money for a striker this summer to play alongside Alexander Isak.
Newcastle are ambitious in their pursuit of a new forward. It’s going to be fascinating to see what happens next.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
