Hugo Ekitike has ‘decided’ which club he would prefer to sign for as Newcastle and Liverpool prepare monster bids for Frankfurt striker

Hugo Ekitike has reportedly made a decision over who he would prefer to join out of Liverpool and Newcastle this summer as both clubs continue to battle for one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers.

He is arguably the most wanted forward in world football right now.

Ekitike, 23, is being chased by several clubs around Europe after the former Paris Saint-Germain striker helped Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt secure Champions League qualification with 22 goals and 13 assists across 2024/25.

Manchester United entered the race to sign Ekitike in May and are still monitoring the situation closely, according to Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have reached out to Eintracht Frankfurt in the past 48 hours to once again register their interest. Alexander Isak appears to be their number one target but if they fail to sign the Swede, Ekitike is said to be next in line.

Newcastle, on the other hand, are determined to keep Isak and sign Ekitike. In fact, earlier this week, Frankfurt turned down a club-record £70 million bid from the Magpies for Ekitike as they value him at £85 million.

Amid the ongoing transfer war, journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft has revealed that Ekitike ‘prefers’ a move to Liverpool this summer.

Speaking to ESPN FC’s YouTube channel, Fjortoft opened up on the saga.

“What I do hear is that Ekitike is not for sale, but we know the strategy of Eintracht Frankfurt,” he began. “They signed Muani to PSG for €95+5 million, they sold Marmoush to Manchester City for €80 million. His (Ekitike’s) price tag now is €100 million.

“He is being the joker in the Liverpool-Newcastle thing. If Liverpool can’t get Isak, maybe they will go for Ekitike.

“What I do understand is that the player prefers to play for Liverpool. But, he is very relaxed because he knows he can play in the Champions League with Eintracht Frankfurt, and Eintracht Frankfurt, for the first time in a long, long time, they don’t have to sell because they have already done that with Champions League qualification and the sales of Marmoush and Muani.”

Fjortoft added: “But I can tell you, Ekitike prefers Liverpool Football Club.”

Newcastle sweating as Fabrizio Romano confirms Liverpool ‘advancing today’ for massive signing

Liverpool are reportedly advancing in talks with both Hugo Ekitike personally and his club, Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Merseysiders are apparently not content to sit and wait for Newcastle to make a decision over the future of Alexander Isak.

As such, the incumbent Premier League champions are covering their bases in the event the Sweden international stays put at St James’ Park for another season.

Both strikers enjoyed productive campaigns in 2024/25, breaching 20 goals in all competitions.

Are Liverpool going to sign Hugo Ekitike?

That entirely depends on whether Newcastle are prepared to soften their stance over Liverpool-linked Isak.

Sporting director Richard Hughes has opted for action in the meantime. Fabrizio Romano now reports on X (formerly Twitter) that the club is ‘advancing today in club to club talks’ over the future of Hugo Ekitike.

This also sees Liverpool working on securing personal terms for the French hitman as they look to secure a striker signing this summer.

Success here would likely require the club to fork out Frankfurt’s huge release clause of €100m [£86.5m].

Newcastle can’t afford to gamble on Ekitike transfer

Newcastle ultimately don’t hold all the cards here. Yes, they remain in possession of perhaps the finest striker on the planet, who remains on a long-term contract (running until the summer of 2028).

But it’s ultimately a dangerous game to play when sources like Jan Aage Fjortoft have confirmed that Hugo Ekitike would prefer to play for Liverpool.

Our implied threat that we’ll try to sign the Newcastle target is, without question, actionable given he’ll cost less than when we’re currently prepared to pay the Magpies for Isak (£120m).

Of course, as regrettable as it might be for Eddie Howe and Co. to miss out on the Bundesliga centre-forward, they might be prepared to on the basis of keeping a quality talent.

But let’s be totally honest here – there’s absolutely no guarantee that Newcastle will be able to hold on to their Swede next summer.

Champions League football will be necessary

At an absolute minimum, our Premier League rivals will need to secure consecutive Champions League qualification.

Even then, who’s to say a then 26-year-old striker entering his prime years won’t want to move to an outfit consistently aiming for the biggest pieces of silverware on a regular basis?

That’s not to be intentionally disrespectful to a superb club like Newcastle with genuine ambitions of delivering consistent success.

But the reality remains that clubs like Liverpool are currently in a far better position to meet Isak’s likely ambitions.

Then there’s the separate issue of whether now is the right time to maximise Alexander Isak’s value with less than three years left on his deal.

It’s up to Newcastle!