The summer transfer window of 2025 was nothing short of dramatic for Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Alexander Isak himself. While the Swedish striker eventually sealed his **record-breaking move to Anfield on deadline day**, reports have now revealed what really went through his mind when he discovered that Liverpool had snapped up **Hugo Ekitike** before finalising his own deal.
### The Ekitike Twist
For much of the summer, Newcastle held firm in their refusal to let Isak go, making it clear they wouldn’t sanction his departure unless they had a replacement lined up. At the same time, Liverpool were exploring multiple attacking options.
Enter **Hugo Ekitike**.
The 23-year-old Frenchman was high on Liverpool’s list and, despite Newcastle’s own interest, the Reds moved quickly to wrap up a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt. This development reportedly changed the dynamics of the Isak saga entirely.
According to *The Athletic*, Newcastle saw Liverpool’s pursuit of Ekitike as a calculated power play—an attempt to pressure them into releasing Isak while also securing a promising young forward.
### Isak’s Reaction
So, how did Isak take the news?
Those close to the striker claim there was a noticeable **shift in his mood** once he learned Ekitike was heading to Merseyside. At the time, Isak was already away with Newcastle on a training camp in Austria, but not long after Ekitike’s deal was announced, he mysteriously picked up a so-called *“minor injury”* that ruled him out of the club’s pre-season tour of Asia.
For many, this moment was the beginning of the end—at least publicly—in the Swede’s Newcastle career. Behind closed doors, Isak grew more determined than ever to push for his exit.
He later released a strong public statement claiming **“promises had been broken”**, further widening the rift between himself and the club. His refusal to attend the PFA awards ceremony only deepened speculation about his unhappiness.
### Newcastle’s Dilemma
Manager **Eddie Howe** remained firm in public, insisting he wanted his star striker to stay. But privately, he recognised the situation had spiralled into what he described as a *“lose-lose scenario.”*
Forcing Isak to remain risked destabilising the squad. Letting him go, however, meant losing one of the Premier League’s deadliest forwards. Eventually, Newcastle relented—signing **Yoane Wissa** and **Nick Woltemade** as replacements—before sanctioning Isak’s **£130m switch to Liverpool**.
### The Aftermath
In hindsight, Liverpool’s capture of Ekitike seems to have been a turning point. Not only did it highlight their long-term planning, but it also pushed Isak to harden his stance, ultimately accelerating the events that brought him to Anfield.
For Liverpool fans, the outcome could hardly have been better: two elite attacking talents arriving in the same summer. For Newcastle, however, it was the painful conclusion to a saga they had hoped to avoid.
