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 closing in on the signing of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, and while some fans had their hearts set on Alexander Isak, there is every reason to be optimistic. The Reds may not have secured their first-choice target,

Liverpool are desperate to add a new No.9 to their squad ahead of the new season, but will have to look elsewhere now that Alexander Isak no longer seems to be an option

Liverpool is closing in on a deal to sign Hugo Ekitike and if the Reds' track record in the transfer market over the last 10 years is anything to go by, he will probably be a roaring success