Newcastle United are working on a second bid for Hugo Ekitike after Eintracht Frankfurt quickly rejected their first offer, which was worth around £69m [$92m], according to multiple reports.
Club officials held face-to-face talks in Austria this week to move negotiations forward.
Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg confirmed talks are now “advanced”, with Frankfurt expecting an improved offer soon.
Ekitike has been a Newcastle target since the early days of the Saudi-backed ownership and the interest has only grown stronger this summer.
After Callum Wilson’s departure and with Anthony Elanga signing, the club is pushing hard to bring in another forward who can compete with Alexander Isak.
At the same time, Liverpool are likely to make approach for Isak soon, who still has three years left on his current deal.
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The Times’ northern football correspondent Martin Hardy reports that Newcastle are “bracing themselves for an official offer” worth “in the region of £130 million”.
And BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel reports that “a package reaching that fee could ‘successfully get Isak out of St James’ Park’.”
The timing has forced Newcastle into a high-stakes situation that could shape their entire attack.
Liverpool eye Ekitike as a fallback while Newcastle weigh options
If Newcastle refuse to sell Isak, the Reds are expected to turn their full attention toward Hugo Ekitike instead.
🚨🆕 Newcastle have made significant progress in talks with Hugo #Ekitike. It’s advanced.
Frankfurt are expecting a second offer from Newcastle. #NUFC@SkySportDE 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/MNk0r0uLyg
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) July 16, 2025
Reportedly, Liverpool have been watching Ekitike’s situation closely and may act quickly if their main plan falls apart.
Newcastle still want both players and reportedly are planning to restart contract talks with Isak.
The striker’s extension talks were paused earlier this year due to a heavy schedule but are expected to resume once transfer activity settles.
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