Liverpool have seemingly decided that their new number nine will be Hugo Ekitike after a whirlwind few days.

The Reds had always been expected to go for a big signing at centre-forward after Darwin Nunez ran out of opportunities at Anfield.

Despite a lack of movement during the opening weeks of the window, Alexander Isak had long been installed as Liverpool‘s ideal option.

Finally, the Reds made their play on Tuesday, making an approach to Newcastle with a view to offering £120m for Isak.

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However, the Magpies appear to have stood firm on their ‘not for sale’ stance, forcing Liverpool to change tack.

Since then, it has been reported that Liverpool are closing in on Ekitike, with a deal hopefully in place by the weekend.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, potentially not.

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When reports surfaced recently that Newcastle were pushing hard to sign Ekitike, it gave Liverpool fans hope that Isak could be on his way to Anfield.

Part of the reason for that was because the two strikers are strikingly similar in playing style.

It is difficult to see them playing together.

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With Ekitike now on his way to Liverpool, some will deduce that the same logic applies.

But, perhaps for this window [it is].”

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“Newcastle’s own desire to bring in Ekitike, even if it was Ekitike and Isak, had an element of succession planning,” Jacobs continues.

“And they [Liverpool] will know that Newcastle, one day, there will come a point where Isak is sold.

You can never say never with Liverpool and this window, but ultimately the urgency to get clarity on Isak was prompted by Newcastle moving for Ekitike and they didn’t want Ekitike to think they were all in on Isak and he was a back-up.

But for now all the focus has switched to Ekitike.”

As Jacobs says, there is little to no chance that Liverpool would even dream of signing Ekitike and Isak together this summer.

Forget the stylistic incompatibility for a moment, the finances involved would be truly crazy.

Nevertheless, there is yet to be a definitive statement that the door to Isak is completely closed to Liverpool at the moment.

Yes, Liverpool are advancing on Ekitike, but is it impossible that the Reds are getting everything in place on a deal for the Frenchman while still waiting for an answer from Isak and Newcastle?
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