Frankfurt representative confirms why Ekitike chose Liverpool over Newcastle | OneFootball

Liverpool’s move for Hugo Ekitike has been given fresh context after an agent revealed how we beat Newcastle United to his signature this summer.

Liverpool hijack stopped Newcastle transfer for Ekitike

(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Speaking to TuttoSport, agent Ali Barat explained: “I was working on behalf of Eintracht Frankfurt to bring him to Newcastle.

“I stayed in Germany for ten days. We agreed everything with the German club and the player, then Liverpool called him and he chose Anfield.”

That admission confirms just how close our new No.22 was to joining Eddie Howe’s side before Arne Slot made his move.

The 23-year-old forward, who scored 22 goals in 48 Bundesliga games last season, was a long-term target for Newcastle after his spell in Germany, but Liverpool’s intervention changed everything.

The French international became one of our marquee signings of the summer, joining Alexander Isak in what might have been a dream frontline on Tyneside.

Instead, the British record fee for Isak’s move to Anfield was preceded by Ekitike transfer – with the Swede’s mood changing after he saw his new teammate sign for the Reds.

After hearing Giovanni Leoni also turned down the north east in favour of a Merseyside move, it’s not been a great summer for the Geordies.

Why Liverpool made their move for Ekitike

(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Slot wanted extra depth up front following the departures of Darwin Nunez to Al-Hilal and Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich.

Ekitike, signed for £69 million plus add-ons, fits the club’s new model of investing in younger talent with resale value, while also being versatile enough to play across the front line.

Liverpool had already signed Florian Wirtz to strengthen our creative midfield options, but the need for a forward was equally urgent.

With Jota’s tragic passing in July and the departure of Nunez and Diaz, attacking reinforcements were a necessity.

Barat’s words underline just how decisive Liverpool’s move was in landing Ekitike ahead of Newcastle.

Had we waited, the striker could easily have been lining up against us this season rather than preparing to lead the line at Anfield.

It is another reminder of how quickly our recruitment team can shift a transfer battle and how vital those calls from Anfield can be when shaping the future of the squad.

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