Liverpool to test Newcastle resolve with £120m bid for talisman, could also hijack their top target

Liverpool are keen to test Newcastle’s resolve in more ways than one this summer – by bidding for either their star man Alexander Isak or their top target Hugo Ekitike. The Athletic reports that the two clubs could be set for a game of poker, with Liverpool communicating to Newcastle their interest in submitting as much as £120m for their star man.

This comes just 24 hours after Newcastle have launched a bid of their own, £65m for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike. The French striker is a top target of Liverpool as well, and the Reds could choose to hijack this move in the event that Newcastle reject their advances for Isak.

Liverpool’s bid for Isak is not concrete at this stage, but rather exploratory to test if Newcastle will blink. Newcastle’s stance remains clear as ever, Isak is not for sale under any condition. The Magpies are under no pressure to sell their talisman, even for what would be a British record fee.

They have qualified for the Champions League for next season and will enjoy the lucrative windfall that comes with it, while the player has three years remaining on his contract.

Liverpool keen on both Isak and Ekitike

As for Ekitike, Frankfurt so far have stood firm on their evaluation of close to £90m. The 23 year old scored 22 goals in all competitions last season and would represent an excellent addition to either Newcastle or Liverpool.

Liverpool are understood to be confident that they would win the race for the Frenchman, especially given the presence of Isak at Newcastle. Although Newcastle are reportedly hoping to pair the two strikers together, the player might favour being the lone focal point at Anfield.

It is growing increasingly likely that Newcastle will have to settle for one or the other. They would prefer to keep their star man Isak, but should he agitate for a move the transfer fee would net a sizeable profit that could be reinvested into not only Ekitike, but in other areas of the squad as well.

It unknown at this point what Isak’s preference is, and any move in either direction will likely hinge on the Swede.

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Nadji Grizzle

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Nadji is a football writer with over 10 years of experience covering the Premier League. His work has been featured on Football Fancast, Arsenal-Mania, and Arsenal.com, where he has built a reputation for delivering sharp analysis, engaging storytelling, and in-depth coverage of the game.

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