Isak to Liverpool taking shape as transfer '99%' certain

Tom Weber

Updated: 4 Mar 2025 13:22 GMT
4 min read

Eintracht Frankfurt are '99 per cent' sure that Hugo Ekitike will leave in the summer, potentially paving the way for Newcastle to sell Alexander Isak.

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The Magpies striker continues to take pride of place in the reporting on the summer as he will undoubtedly be one of the protagonists of the upcoming transfer window.

Isak is once again enjoying a remarkable season for Newcastle and the affection for him from clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool is steadily increasing. However, the former are likely to target RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko in the summer, so it may ultimately be a battle between the Reds and Newcastle.

The St. James' Park club are, unsurprisingly, reluctant to let Isak leave considering how important he is to Eddie Howe's side. Fortunately for them, the Swede has always made it clear that he is loving life in the Northeast.

Despite this, Isak will be one to watch in the summer. Newcastle know that they could raise a huge amount of funds by cashing in on the 25-year-old, which would allow them to spend freely on bolstering their side without having to worry about Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Ekitike to start Isak domino?

Liverpool are certainly ready to spend big in the summer, though whether they are willing to splash north of €100m on a single player remains to be seen.

As for Newcastle, they already have some potential replacements in mind. For one, FootballTransfers has exclusively revealed that compatriot Viktor Gyokeres features high on the Magpies' shortlist.

However, the Swede is at the peak of his powers and wants guarantees of Champions League football, so it is too early to say whether Newcastle will have a realistic chance of landing him.

In addition to Gyokeres, we have revealed that Hugo Ekitike is once again a target for them. Newcastle were previously interested in the Frenchman and his career revival at Eintracht Frankfurt hasn't gone unnoticed.

Sky Germany now reports that Frankfurt fully expect the 22-year-old to leave the club in the summer. It is claimed that a transfer of Ekitike is '99 per cent' certain, with the Eagles once again looking to rake in a hefty fee.

After selling Randal Kolo Muani for €85 million (not the reported €95m) to PSG in 2023 and Omar Marmoush to Man City for €75m in January, Frankfurt are demanding a fee in the region of €80m for Ekitike.

Newcastle would likely have to cash in on someone to afford him. Given that Ekitike and Isak are quite similar - both have excellent technical skills and pace despite their lanky stature - it would make sense to sell the 25-year-old and sign his younger 'clone.'