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Eddie Howe could be forgiven for wondering what might have been, after backing Hugo Ekitike to be a big success in the Premier League.

Newcastle United had a £70m package turned down by Eintracht Frankfurt before Liverpool snapped up the Frenchman in a deal worth up to £79m.

The 23-year-old is one of a number of strikers Newcastle have missed out on this summer, with their failed pursuits of new forwards also having a knock-on effect for the future of wantaway star Alexander Isak.

Newcastle had initially hoped to field Ekitike alongside Isak, but now face the prospect of being left without either forward as the Reds also continue to monitor the Swede.

READ MORE:Eddie Howe confirms Alexander Isak decision as Liverpool transfer saga end in sightREAD MORE:Every word Eddie Howe said on Alexander Isak during tense 27-minute pre-Liverpool press conference

Isak made headlines earlier this week when he released a statement on Instagram, moments after he was confirmed as being named in the PFA's Team of the Year for last season, insisting that his Magpies career was over, citing broken promises behind the scenes.

That was followed by a Newcastle statement later that night expressing disappointment in his actions and claiming he would be likely to stay put at St James' Park.

Liverpool had a £110m bid rejected by the Magpies earlier this month and are understood to be ready to return to the table should they be given encouragement from the North East that a deal could be possible.

While angry Newcastle supporters have recently suggested that the Reds might have already signed Isak had they not moved for Magpies target Ekitike, Liverpool did not actually swoop in to steal the forward’s signature.

It's understood the Reds initially made advances over Ekitike back in January as Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes began to gently plan how their forward line might look for the campaign ahead.

The Dutchman spoke to the Frenchman at the end of last season and sold him the vision for how he would fit in when leading the Liverpool line.

Already armed with all the data, scouting reports and character references needed to pursue the deal, the Reds were then able to act quickly to conclude a deal after Newcastle’s own initial bid was rejected.

Liverpool’s willingness to be proactive earlier in the calendar year ultimately allowed them to gain the necessary information to proceed when it was agreed that Ekitike was the right player for the next stage of their evolution up front.

Consequently, Newcastle will now be left trying to keep the Frenchman quiet when the Reds travel to St.

James’ Park on Monday night.

Ekitike has enjoyed a strong start to his Liverpool career, following up a debut goal in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace with a goal and assist on his Premier League and Anfield debut against AFC Bournemouth.

And Howe has shared his admiration for the Reds forward after missing out on his signature.

“There’s no doubting that I really like Hugo and have done for a number of years,” he admitted at his pre-match press conference.

“He’s someone that we have tracked for a long time.

“He’s got really good qualities and I think he showed that in his first Premier League game, a very good debut against Bournemouth.

“He’s got really good movement, he’s intelligent, he’s good in the air, he scores goals, a very good finisher, scores off both feet.

“I think he has a load of qualities that will serve him really well in the Premier League.

“Our job will be to keep him quiet and to try and control him but certainly he is going to be a threat this year.”

With Isak an inevitable dominating talking point in Howe’s press conference ahead of facing Liverpool, the Reds’ trip to Newcastle will act as a further reminder of the ugly transfer saga on Monday night.

But even though it has already been confirmed that the Swede will not be involved against Liverpool, Ekitike’s likely presence in attack for the Reds will rub further salt in Magpies wounds.

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It was only six weeks ago when Newcastle bosses were still dreaming of partnering Isak and Ekitike in attack.

With little over a week to go until the transfer window closes, the pair could still become team-mates, albeit at Anfield rather than St.
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