Alexander Isak to Liverpool is on after official Hugo Ekitike announcement drops…

The transfer of Alexander Isak to Liverpool is progressing following the official announcement regarding Hugo Ekitike.

According to a reliable source, Liverpool remains optimistic about acquiring Alexander Isak from Newcastle United during the summer transfer window, especially after the Premier League champions confirmed the signing of Hugo Ekitike.

On Wednesday evening, Liverpool made it official by announcing Ekitike’s transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Premier League champions stated on their official website that Ekitike has successfully passed his medical examination and has agreed to personal terms, with plans for the French striker to travel to Hong Kong to join Arne Slot’s team later this week.

The statement notes, ‘Liverpool FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, pending international clearance.’

Slot has been actively seeking a new striker during the summer transfer window, particularly after Darwin Nunez lost his position in the Liverpool starting lineup last season.

As reported by The Times, Ekitike will cost Liverpool an initial transfer fee of £69 million, bringing the Premier League champions’ summer spending to nearly £300 million, following the acquisitions of Florian Wirtz, Jeremine Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez, among others.

Liverpool is not finished with their striker signings, as The Liverpool Echo journalist Ian Doyle has revealed that the Reds are still pursuing Isak from Newcastle.

After Newcastle turned down Liverpool’s initial approach for Isak, the Reds shifted their focus to Ekitike, but it appears that the Merseyside club is still keen on bringing the Swedish striker to Anfield.

TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, has consistently reported that Isak is Slot’s ideal signing at Liverpool, with the club reportedly willing to pay Newcastle £120 million for the Sweden international striker this summer.

Doyle posted on X at 7:33 PM on July 23: “#LFC have confirmed the signing of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in an initial £79 million deal.

Liverpool has been in touch with the player’s representatives since January, and after Newcastle made an offer for him, the Reds decided to act.

What is the current situation with Alexander Isak and Newcastle United?

Newcastle’s refusal to entertain Liverpool’s interest in Isak this summer demonstrates their firm position regarding the striker.

The Magpies, who secured the Carabao Cup last season and will compete in the Champions League during the 2025/26 season after finishing in the Premier League’s top five, are resolute in their ‘not for sale’ policy concerning Isak.

If Liverpool were to return with another club-record offer for the 25-year-old, following their acquisition of Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £100m plus £16m in potential add-ons, it would signify a strong intent.

As reported by talkSPORT, Newcastle and Isak are currently negotiating a new contract, with the striker seeking £300,000 per week to sign fresh terms.

Sources have informed TEAMtalk that Newcastle is prepared to increase Isak’s salary to £180,000 weekly.

Interest in Isak has also emerged from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, with one of his agents, Gonzalo Gaitan, stating to Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah: “We are indeed studying and analysing all options, and we may be close to finalising the next step for the player.

Without revealing any details regarding whether Isak will transfer or remain with Newcastle.”

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has expressed his wish to retain Isak, although he acknowledged that there are no guarantees he will stay.

Howe told BBC Radio Newcastle prior to Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia: “Yes, absolutely.

He’s part of our squad. At this moment in time, I expect him to come.

“I’d never give a guarantee about anybody [staying] because I’ve been in football long enough to know I could end up looking silly, but the desire from everybody to keep him is as strong as it could be. Fingers crossed that will happen for us.

The Northern Echo has stated that Isak will accompany the rest of the Newcastle team to the Far East, even though he did not participate in the match against Celtic last weekend during their initial pre-season game.