The Athletic<\/a>\u2018s David Ornstein has now reported that Richard Hughes<\/a> is \u201cprioritising\u201d finding a \u201ctop No. 9\u201d when it comes to the club\u2019s next signing.<\/p>\n Isak and Hugo Ekitike are described as \u201cprominent in their thinking\u201d but \u201cvarious factors would need to align for such interest to develop.\u201d <\/p>\n The latter is edging closer to a transfer to Newcastle<\/a>, which has understandably led those of a Liverpool persuasion to draw conclusions that Isak will become available later this summer.<\/p>\n The two are very similar in profile and it has become increasingly obvious that Newcastle<\/a> sources have been briefing the media that Ekitike is arriving to support and play with Isak, not to replace him.<\/p>\n Ekitike has an \u00a386 million release clause but Newcastle<\/a> will hope to do a deal for less, though it would still likely be their biggest-ever financial outlay since Isak\u2019s \u00a363 million move.<\/p>\n Newcastle<\/a> would then need to absorb the significant outlay amid ongoing PSR issues.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Ornstein also, interestingly, noted that Nicolas Jackson \u201cis also a player Hughes liked when he was with Bournemouth<\/a>,\u201d and that he\u2019d be a more realistic candidate if he did not play for Chelsea<\/a>.<\/p>\n As for outgoings, Darwin Nunez<\/a> remains of interest to Napoli and Al Hilal, with it \u201cexpected that a move for him will progress again soon,\u201d while the stance remains Luis Diaz<\/a> is not for sale.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/isakekitiked-1-394x450.jpg\")
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