Liverpool have officially opened discussions with Eintracht Frankfurt for French striker Hugo Ekitike, as reported by Sky Sports News. The Merseyside club’s move comes hot on the heels of Newcastle United’s rejected £70m bid for the 23-year-old, signalling the start of what could be a fierce transfer battle.

The Reds have turned their attention to Ekitike after being informed that Newcastle’s Alexander Isak is not for sale this summer. Sky Sports News confirmed: “Liverpool have moved for Ekitike after being told Alexander Isak is not for sale in this window.” The Swedish international has long been admired by the Anfield hierarchy, but Newcastle have placed a minimum £150m valuation on their star man, effectively closing the door on any summer approach.

Ekitike has had a well-travelled journey, initially rejecting a Premier League move to Newcastle in 2022 in favour of Paris Saint-Germain. But after limited opportunities in France, he was sold to Frankfurt for £14m last summer. Now, after just one season in Germany, Frankfurt have rebuffed Newcastle’s latest £70m offer, with the Bundesliga side reportedly holding out for £85m.

“Sky Sports News reported on Tuesday that Frankfurt rejected Newcastle’s formal £70m bid for Ekitike, with the Bundesliga club valuing the striker at £85m.”

Newcastle, for their part, remain in the hunt, having held talks with Ekitike’s representatives in Austria on Monday. Their continued interest highlights just how highly the forward is regarded, and Liverpool’s entry into the race could complicate things for Eddie Howe’s side.

With Ekitike valued at £85m, the decision now lies with Liverpool’s recruitment team. Are they willing to meet Frankfurt’s asking price? Or will Newcastle, stung by their 2022 rejection, push harder to finally secure the player?

As Sky Sports News rightly highlights, “The Reds have been scoping out the market all summer for possible centre-forward options, establishing availability and price,” and Ekitike’s profile ticks many of the right boxes for a modern Liverpool No.9

From a Liverpool fan’s perspective, this interest in Hugo Ekitike could be seen as a promising yet calculated gamble. At just 23, the Frenchman offers a blend of youth, athleticism, and technical skill, all of which suit Arne Slot’s system. However, shelling out £85m for a player who struggled for minutes at PSG and only has two full Bundesliga campaign under his belt might raise some eyebrows.

The comparison to Alexander Isak is inevitable. While Isak has proven his pedigree in the Premier League with Newcastle, Ekitike is still a work in progress. That said, Liverpool have had success with forwards arriving from less-hyped backgrounds before — think of the early days of Diogo Jota or even Sadio Mané.

There’s also a strategic dimension to this move. Blocking a key target for Newcastle, who are direct top-four rivals, makes competitive sense. But the Reds must avoid being drawn into a bidding war unless Ekitike is truly viewed as a long-term successor to Darwin Núñez or part of a tactical reshuffle.

Ultimately, if Liverpool’s recruitment team see the same high ceiling Frankfurt clearly do — and if they can negotiate a fee below £85m — Ekitike could be a smart addition to the squad. The risk lies in the price tag and expectation, but the potential upside? Huge.