Liverpool could respond with a bid for Alexander Isak after learning how close Newcastle United are to signing Hugo Ekitike, according to a report, as TEAMtalk analyses whether Reds manager Arne Slot could be able to bring the star striker to Anfield this summer.<\/p>\n
Both Liverpool<\/a> and Newcastle have been very active in the summer transfer window. While Reds manager Slot is keen on winning the Premier League title as well as becoming the champions of Europe next season, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is determined to end up in the Champions League for the second year in a row.<\/p>\n Liverpool already have six new faces in their squad, with Slot able to count on Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Armin Pecsi, Freddie Woodman and Giorgi Mamardashvili\u00a0for next season.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Newcastle<\/a> have secured the services of Anthony Elanga and Antonito\u00a0Cordero, as the Magpies aim to consolidate their place among the Premier League\u2019s elite and also make an impact in the Champions League.<\/p>\n Newcastle are also progressing in their quest to Hugo Ekitike<\/a> from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer transfer window.<\/p>\n Sources have told TEAMtalk\u2019s transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, that there is confidence at Newcastle of sealing a deal for Ekitike.<\/p>\n Reliable French journalist, Julien Laurens, has reported in ESPN that Newcastle are on the verge of finalising an \u20ac80million (\u00a369.5m, $93.5m) deal for Ekitike. The French striker\u2019s agent, Ali Barat, is reported to be in the city to \u2018iron out the last few details\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Personal terms have been agreed with Ekitike over a five-year deal and the 23-year-old is ready for his medical,\u2019 claims the report in ESPN.<\/p>\n While ChronicleLive<\/a> has urged caution over an immediate transfer, noting that Eintracht\u00a0are only just expecting a first offer for Ekitike, the local Newcastle media have reported that a deal for the French striker could prompt Liverpool to make a move for Isak<\/a>.<\/p>\n TEAMtalk\u2019s transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, has long reported that Newcastle striker Isak is Liverpool manager Slot\u2019s dream signing<\/a>. Although the Magpies have always maintained that their prized asset is not for sale, the Reds remain hopeful of a summer deal.<\/p>\n ChronicleLive has noted that Newcastle\u2019s pursuit of Ekitike \u2018has alerted Liverpool on two counts\u2019.<\/p>\n \u2018Firstly, Arne Slot remains keen on Isak,\u2019 states the report. \u2018Liverpool identified him as one of their top targets for the summer earlier in the window.\u2019<\/p>\n ChronicleLive adds: \u2018Secondly, Ekitike was looked at as a back-up option for the Reds if they could not get Isak, something that may yet spark a response from Anfield.\u2019<\/p>\n ICYMI\u00a0\u27a1\ufe0f\u00a0Alexander Isak \u2018wants to leave Newcastle\u2019 as journalist ignites Liverpool transfer claims<\/a><\/p>\n Newcastle stance on selling Alexander Isak to Liverpool<\/p>\n While many would think that signing Ekitike indicates that Newcastle are receptive to offers for Isak, ChronicleLive has claimed that manager Eddie Howe plans to play the two strikers together.<\/p>\n The report has claimed that \u2018Isak is still not for sale\u2019, with Howe planning to pair the two strikers alongside Elanga in \u2018a dream attack\u2019.<\/p>\n This is backed by The Athletic journalist, David Ornstein, who has also reported on X that Newcastle want Ekitike \u2018to play alongside Alexander Isak\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n Isak has been on the books of Newcastle since 2022 and is under contract at the Carabao Cup winners until the summer of 2028.<\/p>\n The 25-year-old Sweden international striker has scored 62 goals and given 11 assists in 109 appearances for Newcastle so far in his career.<\/p>\n Latest Liverpool news: Mac Allister responds to \u2018offer\u2019, shock Chelsea link<\/p>\n A report has sensationally claimed that Liverpool like a misfiring Chelsea striker<\/a>, with the Premier League champions\u2019 sporting director Richard Hughes a big fan.<\/p>\n TEAMtalk\u2019s transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, has reported that a wantaway Liverpool player is enthusiastic about a move to Aston Villa<\/a> in the summer transfer window.<\/p>\n