Newcastle United fans have not held back their frustration after Liverpool agreed a deal for Hugo Ekitike, ending the Magpies’ hopes of signing the highly-rated striker this summer. The development has sparked widespread disappointment on Tyneside, especially after weeks of anticipation that the Frenchman would be heading to St James’ Park.
Newcastle had identified Ekitike as their primary attacking target, following the departure of Callum Wilson, whose contract expired earlier this summer. The club was reportedly ready to break their transfer record to secure Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, envisioning him as a dynamic partner for Alexander Isak.
However, Newcastle’s pursuit was thrown into uncertainty when speculation emerged regarding Isak’s future. Liverpool, initially chasing Isak with what would have been a Premier League record bid, were firmly told by Newcastle that the Swedish striker was not for sale.
As a result, the Reds quickly shifted focus back to Ekitike, reigniting their long-standing interest in the forward. Football Insider confirmed that Liverpool have now reached an agreement with Frankfurt, effectively hijacking the deal from Newcastle’s grasp.
Fans Turn on Club Strategy
This twist has infuriated Newcastle supporters, many of whom have turned their frustrations towards the club’s owners and transfer strategy. On social media, fans lamented the lack of urgency and decisiveness in the market, accusing the club of moving too slowly in what was a key area for reinforcement.
“This is what happens when you dither,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“We should’ve wrapped up Ekitike weeks ago — now we’ve lost him to Liverpool and still have a glaring hole up front.”
Others criticized the broader recruitment process, demanding that the club act swiftly to avoid further embarrassments in the market.
What Next for Newcastle?
With Ekitike off the table and Isak staying put, Newcastle’s focus will likely return to other attacking options, including potential moves for players like Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who had previously been linked.
However, given the backlash from fans, the pressure is now on the ownership and sporting director Dan Ashworth to deliver a high-quality signing to bolster the attack before the window closes.
For Liverpool, securing Ekitike represents not only a promising addition but also a strategic win in beating a direct Premier League rival to a coveted talent.
