Newcastle United had held talks over signing Ekitike this month and reportedly had a £69m club-record bid rejected before calling off their pursuit. Alexander Isak was Liverpool’s number one target but moved to hijack the Magpies’ Ekitike move after hearing that the Swede isn’t for sale.

The striker is due to undergo his medical and sign a six-year deal in London before joining his new team-mates in Asia.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot took centre stage to help convince Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike to reject a move to Newcastle United and St. James’ Park in favour of Anfield, according to

Manchester United tried to sign Hugo Ekitike, but could not convince him about a switch to Old Trafford. Per transfer expert David Ornstein, “Man United made a push for him last week, but he had already committed to Liverpool.”

Can they afford him? What would the deal mean for Isak? Our reporters dissect the news Newcastle are in talks to sign the French forward

It was previously reported early in the week that Newcastle United had seen an €80m (£69.5m) offer rejected by Eintracht Frankfurt for Hugo Ekitike. I would have been more than happy for United to have signed the 23 year old as second striker to Alexander Isak,

Latest Newcastle United transfer news and gossip with an update on the futures of Brentford forward Yoane Wissa and Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford