Liverpool approach Newcastle United with enquiry over Alexander Isak as Magpies pursue £86m striker
It was only a matter of time before things started to get messy as Newcastle United pursue a deal for £86 million striker Hugo Ekitike.
We knew as soon as the reports started suggesting that Newcastle had tabled a bid for the 23-year-old that what would follow would be a lot of speculation around Alexander Isak's future at the club.
And as sure as day follows dawn, here we are with a report in The Athletic suggesting that Liverpool, while they have not made a formal bid, have in fact approached Newcastle with an enquiry around Isak.
They have reportedly told Newcastle they are willing to offer £120 million for Isak this summer, as they look to build on their Premier League success.
The Hugo Ekitike situation has suddenly become complicated
Newcastle's stance has always been that Isak is not for sale, and the fact that the Magpies were thought to be closing in on Hugo Ekitike wasn't supposed to change that.
Reports are claiming that Newcastle's initial £70 million bid for Hugo Ekitike has been rejected by Eintracht Frankfurt, which is hardly surprising given that the Bundesliga club have set a price of £86 million.
Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano claims that should Newcastle refuse to sell Isak, then they will turn their attention to Ekitike as well.
Newcastle have knocked back Liverpool's approach for Alexander Isak
Liverpool-based media are framing it as "Sell us Alexander Isak or we will steal Hugo Ekitike", but after three years of chasing, and even having agreed personal terms three years ago, there's confidence that Ekitike would still prefer a move to Newcastle.
Of course, first, Newcastle need to meet Frankfurt's valuation because that's where Liverpool could win the race, as Newcastle hate paying what they've been asked to.
It's going to be another anxious few days for the Toon Army, but as Keith Downie has suggested in his report, Newcastle have told Liverpool that Isak is not for sale, which is fantastic news, but now we have to get serious for Ekitike.
Unless, of course, this has all been an elaborate play by Newcastle to get Liverpool to go for Hugo Ekitike in a bid to leave Isak alone. That would be a bit harsh on the Newcastle fans who were expecting to see a formidable partnership form, but still pretty devious.
