Liverpool are poised to bid for Hugo Ekitike, with the Eintracht Frankfurt striker favouring a move to the Premier League champions over Newcastle.
Anfield officials have been given permission to discuss personal terms with the 23-year-old before finalising the fee and the structure of payments with his club. It is believed Ekitike and his representatives have agreed a six-year contract in principle.
Newcastle and Liverpool have held talks with Frankfurt this week over the France Under-21s international, with the former having a £70m offer rejected and attempting to reach an agreement during further negotiations on Wednesday.
Liverpool’s discussions with the German club have also intensified over the past 48 hours and the Anfield club have informed Eintracht that they will bid for Ekitike. Ekitike has a €100m (£86.5m) release clause but whether Liverpool’s opening offer will go that high remains to be seen. Talks between the clubs will continue on Thursday, with Ekitike having made it clear his preferred destination is Liverpool.
The former Reims and Paris Saint-Germain forward scored 22 goals and made 12 assists in all competitions last season, his first in the Bundesliga, as Eintracht qualified for the Champions League.
Alexander Isak had topped Liverpool’s list of targets for a No 9 and the champions were willing to pay a British record transfer fee to secure the Newcastle forward, but their understanding is the Sweden international is not for sale.
