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Hugo Ekitike has been linked with a multitude of clubs during this summer's transfer window, and the latest is Newcastle United.

Reports suggest that Newcastle is "keen" on the 22-year-old, who scored 15 goals in 33 appearances in the Bundesliga last season.

James' Park, but if he does, that could spell good news for Liverpool regarding its interest in Alexander Isak.

Ekitike is a player not too dissimilar to Isak, and Newcastle's apparent interest in him could suggest that the Magpies are planning for life without Isak in the long term.

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Isak would be Liverpool's dream striker signing, but Newcastle is under no pressure to sell him after addressing its PSR issues last year and also qualifying for the upcoming season's Champions League.

Liverpool signing Isak feels unlikely this summer — regardless of what happens with Ekitike — but if the Frenchman were to move to Newcastle, it could set the Reds up to do a deal for Isak down the line.

Frankfurt, meanwhile, looks to be planning for life without Ekitike, after signing Jonathan Burkardt from fellow Bundesliga outfit Mainz earlier this week.

Burkardt, 24, scored 19 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions for Mainz last season, with 18 of those strikes coming in the league, making him the fourth-highest scorer behind Harry Kane, Patrik Schick and Serhou Guirassy.

Transfer expert Ben Jacobs recently told Betway that Liverpool itself is among the clubs that are worth keeping an eye on with respect to a potential bid for Ekitike.

"Chelsea and Liverpool are the two in particular to watch," he said

Alexander Isak would be Liverpool's dream striker signing

"Manchester United simply don't have the finances or the desire to do Hugo Ekitike at €100 million ($117 million) and probably not at €80 million ($94 million) or €85 million ($100 million) if the actual valuation diminishes.

"Amidst all of the noise, Liverpool are just keeping quiet as they always do and moving discreetly

They're not getting sucked in now to any kind of offers or bidding war, and that's partially because they're still trying to understand if it’s worth having a punt at Alexander Isak.

"And once they get clarity on that in perhaps early or mid-July, they may have to move on to another target, and should they not get Isak, Liverpool are still the ones to watch for Hugo Ekitike, and my expectation is that they will be in the race for the Frankfurt striker if that asking price for €100 million drops."


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