Newcastle Shake Up Summer with Ekitike Move as Liverpool Circle Isak

 

It’s not every day fans get nervous about their club spending big—but that’s exactly what’s happening on Tyneside. Newcastle United are making serious moves in the transfer market, and while that’s usually a cause for excitement, there’s a touch of anxiety in the air this time.

The Magpies have made a bold approach for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, with an opening bid of £70 million swiftly turned down by the Bundesliga side. If the deal goes through, it would shatter Newcastle’s transfer record—and understandably, that’s got supporters asking questions.

Isak’s Future in Focus

The timing of this bid is raising eyebrows, especially with Liverpool reportedly showing strong interest in Newcastle’s current star striker, Alexander Isak. The Swedish international, who joined from Real Sociedad for £63m in 2022, has quickly become a fan favourite. With 54 league goals in three seasons and 23 goals in 34 games last term alone, his importance to Eddie Howe’s side can’t be overstated.

Now, with Premier League champions Liverpool exploring a £130m move for Isak, the fear among Geordies is that Ekitike might not be coming in as a partner—but as a replacement.

However, those close to the club insist that Isak is not for sale. Newcastle are under no financial pressure to sell, especially with Champions League football on the horizon. Instead, their interest in Ekitike could be part of a broader plan to add depth and tactical flexibility to their attacking line-up.

Ekitike and Isak—Two of a Kind?

On paper, Ekitike and Isak share a lot of similarities. Both thrive as central strikers, with Ekitike scoring 15 goals and providing eight assists in 31 starts for Frankfurt last season. Much like Isak, he prefers to operate in central areas, especially drifting into that inside-left channel.

But there are key differences too. Ekitike, only 23, is known for dropping deeper to link play and creating chances for teammates. In fact, he ranked among the top 6% of Bundesliga forwards for chance creation last season. That suggests the potential for a partnership with Isak, rather than competition.

BBC Newcastle’s Matthew Raisbeck shares this view: “It’s not a given that Ekitike will be second choice. Newcastle like versatile players, and with Ekitike’s skill set, he gives Howe more options to tweak tactics mid-game.”

A Long-Standing Admiration

This isn’t Newcastle’s first flirtation with Ekitike. The club had him on their radar as far back as January 2022, shortly after the club’s Saudi-led takeover. While they couldn’t get the deal done then—and ended up signing Isak later—their admiration never faded.

Since then, Ekitike has taken a few detours—first to Paris Saint-Germain, where he struggled for game time, then on loan to Frankfurt, where he rediscovered his form and earned a permanent move.

His tactical intelligence is widely praised. German football expert Constantin Eckner described him as “a smart, versatile forward” who adapts well to different systems—whether playing alone or in a front two. That could prove valuable for a Newcastle team eager to move beyond a one-dimensional attacking style.

Depth, Not Doubt

While the buzz around Liverpool’s interest in Isak refuses to die down, Newcastle remain adamant: their Swedish star is staying put. The club’s strategy appears to be about bolstering depth and giving Eddie Howe more tactical weapons—not preparing for a high-profile exit.

With Callum Wilson already out the door and a packed schedule ahead, including Champions League nights and domestic cup runs, adding a player like Ekitike could be the key to unlocking new attacking dynamics.

Frankfurt, for their part, are reportedly holding firm at a valuation of at least £86m. But with Newcastle’s interest strong and negotiations ongoing, this is one transfer saga that could heat up fast.

Final Whistle

If Newcastle can pull this off and keep hold of Isak, they’ll enter the new season with one of the most exciting and versatile frontlines in Europe. Ekitike brings youth, creativity, and a different kind of threat—without stepping on Isak’s toes.

In a summer full of transfer twists, this might just be the most intriguing storyline yet.