'Plans changed' : CEO confirms Hugo Ekitike was not the only signing Liverpool beat Newcastle to this summer
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Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak are two strikers with very similar profiles, and it’s clear why Eddie Howe wanted to bring the Frenchman in.
However, when Liverpool came knocking for the former Paris Saint-Germain man, it was clear that he wouldn’t choose the Magpies over an Anfield switch.
But, Isak and Ekitike aren’t the only two players who Arne Slot has enticed away from St James’ Park this summer.
We even turned down an offer from Newcastle, which was more advantageous than the one Liverpool eventually made,” he said to Gazzetta di Parma.
“When the Reds came forward, our plans changed: both because the offer was very attractive and because the player made it clear he was very happy to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Photo by Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Although Leoni isn’t all that likely to earn a regular first-team spot with Liverpool any time soon, the fact that he’s been swiped up by the Reds already shows how much faith they have in him.
After Jarell Quansah was sold to Bayer Leverkusen, it was clear that Slot needed to bring in at least one new centre-back over the summer.
Of course, the Dutchman is a massive name to live up to, but if Leoni is half as good as people say he is, the Reds may already be onto a winner.