Liverpool are said to have reacted to Newcastle shutting the door on Isak talks by launching a bid for Ekitike, and Fabrizio Romano reports on Thursday morning that they are now ahead of the Magpies in the race to sign the French forward. The Reds expect to sign Ekitike if all hopes of an Isak deal end.

Liverpool are eyeing Hugo Ekitike as an alternative up front should they fail in pursuit of Isak and the Eintracht Frankfurt forward is said to have agreed personal terms with the Merseyside giants.

Newcastle United signing Anthony Elanga has spoken about why he signed for the club and how the prospect of playing alongside Alexander Isak tempted him.