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Newcastle have reportedly pulled out of the race for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike in a major boost for Liverpool.
Eddie Howe’s side had an €80million (£70m) bid for the 23-year-old rejected earlier this week, with Frankfurt holding out for £86million for the French forward.
Talks had been ongoing since another Newcastle target, Joao Pedro, joined Chelsea, and further meetings were held on Monday in Austria where they had arrived for pre-season training.
Newcastle would have had to smash their transfer record to complete a move but have now left talks for the French star, with the deal considered off, according to Fabrizio Romano.
They are now focusing on other targets, including Yoane Wissa, as they look to bolster their squad ahead of their return to the Champions League.
It spells good news for Liverpool, who are now ‘advancing’ in their approach.
Newcastle have reportedly pulled out of the race for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
Eddie Howe’s side had an €80million bid for the 23-year-old star rejected earlier this week
Newcastle would have had to smash their record transfer if they wanted to land the striker
The Reds reportedly opened talks with Frankfurt over the signing of Ekitike – just a day after they rejected Newcastle’s offer.
Mail Sport reported on Tuesday that Arne Slot’s side are prepared to break the British record transfer bid for the second time this summer to secure Magpies striker Alexander Isak.
But should Isak prove difficult to prise away from Tyneside, they would be interested in securing the French youth international.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are now targeting Brentford’s Wissa after Nottingham Forest saw a bid for the £50m-rated striker rejected.
Ekitike only signed for Frankfurt permanently last summer for €16.5m (£14.3m) and is contracted until 2029.
He previously spent the the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan at the German side from Paris Saint-Germain.
Newcastle are now turning their attention to the £50m-rated Brentford forward Yoane Wissa
Liverpool opened talks with Eintracht Frankfurt a day after Newcastle’s £70m bid was rejected
The France youth international has been on Newcastle’s radar since 2022 but has also attracted interest this window from Chelsea and Liverpool with Manchester United in the background.
He has scored 26 goals and provided 14 assists in 64 gamse for Frankfurt, who will compete in the Champions League next season after finishing in third in the Bundesliga.
The Magpies completed a £55m deal for Anthony Elanga last week, their first major signing of the window
More to follow.
