Liverpool make approach to sign Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike
The Premier League champions have been in the market for a No 9 all summer and have contacted Eintracht over the availability of Ekitike, the subject of a failed £70m offer from Newcastle this week.
Alexander Isak tops the list of targets for Liverpool, who would be prepared to pay a British record fee to secure Newcastle's centre-forward, but their understanding is the Sweden international is not for sale.
Whether Newcastle's – or Isak's – position changes remains to be seen, but Liverpool have several forwards under consideration and could scupper Eddie Howe's move for Ekitike should they decide there is no prospect of a deal for Isak. The champions will have to act quickly to sign Ekitike if that is the case.
Newcastle remain in talks with Eintracht over the France Under-21 international, who scored 22 goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions last season, his debut campaign in the Bundesliga.
Liverpool's interest in the 23-year-old not only threatens Newcastle's chances but improves the German club's negotiating position. The former Reims and Paris Saint-Germain forward is believed to have a release clause of about €100m (£86.6m) and an auction between two Premier League clubs would encourage them to hold out for the asking price.
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