Newcastle’s current Ekitike stance and Liverpool’s next steps in Alexander Isak chase

Newcastle United remain firmly engaged in their pursuit of Hugo Ekitike, despite not yet bridging the gap in negotiations with Eintracht Frankfurt for the 23-year-old striker.

At the same time, the club’s position on Alexander Isak continues to be resolute. The Swedish forward is not on the market, and Newcastle have made it clear that only an astronomical offer—reportedly around £125 million—would even warrant a conversation, and even then, a sale remains highly unlikely.

The past 48 hours have brought a surge of activity and speculation around both forwards. On Tuesday, Newcastle took a major step in their efforts to land Ekitike, which triggered significant optimism on Tyneside about the prospect of pairing him with Isak in attack.

That momentum, however, was quickly tempered by news of Liverpool’s fresh approach for Isak the following day, shifting attention and excitement to Merseyside, particularly after reports emerged that Newcastle’s £70 million offer for Ekitike had been swiftly rejected by Frankfurt.

Now, Liverpool are expected to formally test Newcastle’s resolve with an official bid for Isak. However, the Reds have already been briefed on the Magpies’ stance: Isak is a cornerstone of their project, and any offer would need to rival or exceed the record-breaking transfers in Premier League history to even enter the discussion.

For context, Liverpool’s own record signing of Florian Wirtz for £116.5 million this summer set a new benchmark, following in the footsteps of other £100 million-plus transfers like Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Declan Rice, and Jack Grealish.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has remained consistent in his message—Isak is not for sale. That viewpoint is mirrored by the club’s ownership, and as it stands, the player himself has shown no inclination to seek a move.

With Isak under contract and no desire from any party to see him leave, Newcastle maintain control of the situation unless Liverpool submit an extraordinary offer that forces the club to reassess.

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s own pursuit of Ekitike remains complicated. Frankfurt are proving to be tough negotiators, quickly dismissing Newcastle’s initial proposal.

Reports from Germany indicate other Premier League clubs are waiting in the wings with offers that may surpass Newcastle’s bid. Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal have all expressed interest at various stages, but it is United who currently appear the most attentive.

If Liverpool fail in their attempt to secure Isak, they too may pivot toward Ekitike, potentially intensifying the competition.

The departure of Callum Wilson from St James’ Park has created a clear vacancy in Newcastle’s forward line, prompting the club to seek a new attacker to complement or compete with Isak.

While early rumours linked the Magpies with a free transfer for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the club’s sights are now set higher, as the buzz surrounding Ekitike indicates.

If Newcastle manage to retain Isak but miss out on Ekitike to Liverpool or another Premier League rival, the focus will quickly shift to alternative targets. Benjamin Šeško, who remains on the club’s long-term radar, is a name that continues to circulate in recruitment discussions.

Alongside Arsenal-bound Viktor Gyökeres, Šeško is considered among the most coveted young strikers in Europe.

As this dynamic transfer saga continues to unfold, Newcastle’s strategy will need to remain both firm and flexible.

They are determined not to be bullied out of their vision, yet they must act decisively to secure the reinforcements needed to remain competitive at the top level.

Whether they land Ekitike or pivot to other options, the next few weeks could define the attacking shape of the club for seasons to come.