Newcastle's stance on selling Alexander Isak to Liverpool after Hugo Ekitike transfer

Newcastle are forging ahead with a move for Eintracht Frankfurt's star striker Hugo Ekitike, with reported plans to pair him up front with Alexander Isak rather than as a replacement. Ekitike had an impressive run last season, contributing 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 matches, helping Frankfurt secure a Champions League spot.

His performance has drawn attention from several clubs including Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United, but Newcastle are resolute in their pursuit. The Magpies' forward line is in need of bolstering following Callum Wilson's decision to depart on a free transfer instead of renewing his contract. Having already secured Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga in a £55million deal, the club now aims to add Ekitike to enhance their attacking options.

According to Sky Sports, Newcastle have been in discussions with Frankfurt over the past week and have intensified their efforts during a pre-season trip to Austria. Ekitike, 23, has a release clause of £86m and Frankfurt hold a strong negotiating position, with the France Under-21 striker contracted until June 2029.

This potential fee significantly surpasses the club-record £63m that Newcastle paid Real Sociedad for Isak in August 2022. The Magpies are attempting to negotiate a lower fee of around £65m, but such a hefty sum raises serious questions about the club's financial situation.

The Athletic claim that Newcastle are facing a conundrum as they seek to unite Ekitike and Isak upfront without running into trouble with profit and sustainability regulations. Eddie Howe, however, is adamant about having both strikers in his squad and is even considering a tactical shake-up to accommodate the pair.

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Isak's impressive haul of 23 goals in the Premier League last term as the main striker is significant, but the arrival of Elanga adds further tensions in the battle for wing positions, currently occupied by talents such as Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy.

After an unsuccessful attempt to secure Ekitike's signature for £20m in January 2022, Newcastle have kept close tabs on his development at Frankfurt, who snapped him up for less than £15m in the previous summer.

Frankfurt, adept at making profitable sales, let Omar Marmoush head to Manchester City for £65m in January and offloaded Randal Kolo Muani to Paris Saint-Germain for an astounding £82m in 2023.

Sporting director Markus Krosche from Frankfurt recently reflected on Ekitike's appeal in Sport1: "He's one of the most interesting strikers on the European market. Hugo has to decide that. I'm glad we have him. If he decides otherwise, that's our motto: If a player develops faster than us, we let him go."