The start line of Liverpool’s transfer for Ekitike arrived on the finish of final season.
They’d simply lifted their second Premier League trophy – scoring 86 targets within the course of, probably the most of any top-flight membership that marketing campaign.
Mohamed Salah, their fundamental supply of targets, had simply signed a brand new contract, as properly.
So there appeared little logic in spending closely on a brand new goalscorer. However Arne Slot had different plans.
Among the many recruitment priorities for Liverpool was the addition of a brand new quantity 9.
Slot had persevered with Darwin Nunez for components of the season – however it’s clear the Liverpool supervisor needed an improve.
Nunez might but depart Anfield this summer time, with curiosity from Napoli and Saudi Arabia.
Liverpool’s dream goal was Newcastle striker Isak, who was additionally attention-grabbing Arsenal.
However given his significance to Eddie Howe and a probable price ticket that might go in direction of £130m, Liverpool knew they wanted to supply alternate options.
Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa had been among the many different strikers thought of.
We now know their curiosity in Ekitike is as severe as their admiration for Isak.
Speak of Liverpool’s curiosity in Isak has been rife in business circles all through the summer time. The emergence this week of Liverpool’s strategy to Newcastle confirmed what many believed was coming.
Nonetheless, on reflection, information of that strategy arrived at a peculiar time.
Newcastle had been making an attempt to advance with their curiosity in Ekitike earlier this week, seeing a £70m provide rejected by Eintracht.
Lower than 48 hours later, Liverpool have pivoted to Ekitike in a transfer that most likely ends their instant curiosity in Isak whereas Newcastle are taking a look at alternate options that embrace Wissa.
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