Liverpool will make Newcastle PAY for Hugo Ekitike transfer deal

Newcastle’s plans to sign Hugo Ekitike have unravelled in the last few days. The Geordies made an attempt to sign the Eintracht Frankfurt striker, submitting a bid which could not convince the German side to do business.

And while Eddie Howe’s side were reeling from the knock-back, Liverpool swooped in. Ekitike now appears Anfield-bound - and his arrival will take the Reds’ spending to well over £250m this summer.

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Newcastle have no choice but to move on to other targets and according to one report in Germany, they have got a Liverpool player in their sights.

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The Merseysiders have managed to claw back plenty of money in sales so far this window - with Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Nat Phillips all departing.

Nunez stuck in transfer limbo

But more outgoings will be required in order to finance a blockbuster deal for Ekitike - and this is where Newcastle’s interest in Darwin Nunez could come in very handy indeed.

Having seen a move to Napoli fall apart - due to the Italian champions’ reluctance to meet Liverpool’s asking price - 26-year-old Darwin was stuck in transfer limbo.

Teams in Saudi Arabia are willing to meet his valuation - said to be around £70m - but the player’s first choice had been initially to remain in Europe.

And now BILD is reporting that Newcastle are ready to move on to Darwin to supplement their striking options.

Newcastle have got Darwin Nunez on their radar

Of course Alexander Isak remains the Magpies’ first choice, but the reason behind a move for Ekitike was reportedly to give cover and competition to the Swede - as well as field the duo up top together.

“Newcastle have dropped out of the poker game and already have two other attackers on their radar: Victor Osimhen and Darwin Nunez,” the report reads.

“It became increasingly clear that the Frenchman was not convinced about a move to Newcastle.

“Experts were all the more surprised that Newcastle had already submitted an initial official offer (€80 million) to Frankfurt.

“It's clear that the Magpies wanted to put significant pressure on Ekitiké, hoping for a breakthrough.”

Newcastle's Darwin deal will pay for Ekitike

And after all that, Newcastle could end up funding Liverpool’s move for the player they coveted most in this window. By selling Darwin to the North East side, Liverpool can then use the proceeds on a deal for Ekitike.

Darwin is under contract at Anfield until 2028 but has fallen out of favour in recent months.

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Liverpool have been planning striking upgrades for a few months now - with Isak, Ekitike and Osimhen all appearing on the shortlist. Now it looks like the Reds will end up with Ekitike - while Newcastle still have a contract problem to solve with Isak.

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