Ekitike’s staggering Liverpool wages as Newcastle prepare club-record Alexander Isak talks

Hugo Ekitike is on the verge of finalizing a blockbuster move to Liverpool, where he will reportedly earn a remarkable £250,000 per week.

The French forward is expected in England on Tuesday for his medical after Liverpool and Eintracht Frankfurt agreed on a £79 million deal. The Premier League giants will pay £69 million upfront with an additional £10 million in performance-related bonuses.

Ekitike has committed to a six-year contract worth £13 million annually, a salary that significantly exceeds what many clubs in the league, including Newcastle United, can realistically afford under current financial regulations.

Newcastle had been keen on bringing Ekitike to Tyneside and even submitted a club-record £69 million bid, only for Frankfurt to reject the offer.

Once Liverpool caught wind that Newcastle’s primary striker, Alexander Isak, was not for sale, they moved quickly to hijack the Magpies’ efforts and secured Ekitike instead.

This development highlights a recurring challenge Newcastle face in the market: their inability to match the financial clout of the league’s traditional powerhouses.

The club continues to operate under the constraints of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, which limit spending relative to revenue and make it difficult to offer massive wage packages.

Ekitike’s deal is just the latest in a string of setbacks for Newcastle this summer. Manager Eddie Howe recently addressed the club’s struggles following a heavy 4-0 loss to Celtic in pre-season.

He admitted that financial limitations have played a major role in their failed transfer pursuits. While not every player is motivated purely by money, Newcastle’s wage cap does restrict the type of talent they can realistically attract.

Howe emphasized that the club doesn’t generate the kind of income that would allow them to compete with teams at the top of the financial hierarchy.

Consequently, they must remain diligent and strategic in how they operate, particularly regarding salaries and transfer spending.

Earlier this summer, Newcastle also attempted to bring in Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, but both players opted for moves to Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion, respectively.

The club also held interest in Bryan Mbeumo, who ultimately chose to join Manchester United in a £71 million transfer. Like Ekitike, Mbeumo will earn £250,000 per week at his new club — a figure Newcastle simply can’t match without disrupting their wage structure.

However, Newcastle are not standing still. They are now focused on securing the long-term future of Alexander Isak, their star forward.

The Swedish international is under contract until 2028, but the club intends to offer him a new deal that would make him the highest-paid player in their history.

As it stands, no player at St James’ Park earns more than £200,000 per week. CEO Darren Eales confirmed back in March that negotiations with Isak’s representatives would begin this summer.

While nothing has been finalized yet, it’s clear the club views him as the cornerstone of their attack and are willing to adjust their wage structure to keep him happy.

Isak was notably absent from the squad in the friendly against Celtic, a decision that raised eyebrows. Eddie Howe later clarified that the striker remained in Newcastle due to ongoing speculation about his future and a mutual agreement that he needed more training before returning to match action.

The manager stressed that it wasn’t fair for Isak to sit in the stands amid intense transfer rumors if he wasn’t going to play. Protecting the player’s mental focus and avoiding unnecessary pressure became the priority.

As Newcastle continue to build for the future, the club’s ambition remains strong, but financial discipline will shape every major decision.

The Ekitike saga serves as a reminder of the fine balance Newcastle must maintain — chasing top talent while remaining compliant with financial rules and preserving squad harmony.

In contrast, Liverpool’s financial muscle allows them to strike with confidence, signing players on lucrative deals that would be unthinkable for many of their rivals.