'I wanted': Hugo Ekitike clears up whether he was ever going to sign for Newcastle this summer
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Ever since Hugo Ekitike signed for Liverpool, there has been a narrative building that the Reds snatched him away from Newcastle United.
Liverpool and Newcastle had a fractious summer, with the Alexander Isak transfer saga boiling over at various points.
Ultimately, Liverpool got their man, much to the dismay of Magpies supporters.
Salt had already been rubbed into wounds by the Merseysiders after they seemingly stole a march on Newcastle to land Ekitike.
The Frenchman had been earmarked as Isak’s successor at St James’ Park, but after news of Newcastle’s failed bid to Eintracht Frankfurt emerged, Liverpool swooped in to take him away.
There have since been suggestions that Ekitike would have been upset that Isak was signed anyway, but speaking to the French media, Liverpool’s No.
9 options has been going on ever since Isak penned his Reds contract on deadline day.
However, the noise has largely come from the outside, with Liverpool supporters knowing full well that they needed two centre-forwards this summer.
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Newcastle supporters – and certain sections of the media – have been the loudest of all in this regard, claiming that Liverpool had somehow acted badly in taking Ekitike from their clutches.
But speaking to Canal+ via Foot Mercato, the 23-year-old has said that he simply wanted to join the Reds this summer.
“Why Liverpool instead of Newcastle?
And I don’t think I was wrong.”
There is no world in which Newcastle supporters should feel hard done by when it comes to Liverpool and Ekitike.
The suggestion that the France international was somehow a Newcastle player in waiting is, frankly, ridiculous.
As Ekitike himself says, Liverpool were his preferred choice.
Any claims that Ekitike will be disappointed about the Reds signing Isak should also be given short shrift.
It is highly unlikely the former Eintracht man would not have been told the plan when joining.
So, all ends up, Ekitike simply preferred to join Liverpool, regardless of what Newcastle did.