LONDON — Ekitike Explains Why Only Liverpool Mattered
Hugo Ekitike has set the Premier League buzzing with an unfiltered explanation of why he rejected both Newcastle United and Manchester United over the summer. In an interview with LFC News and Views, the 23-year-old French striker — already on five goals and one assist in just five outings for Liverpool — made his stance clear:
“I was told Newcastle were interested, and honestly, I was disappointed. I’ve worked too hard for this moment. Smaller clubs like Newcastle wanted me, but I told everyone: I only want Liverpool.”
His words, laced with blunt ambition, have reignited debates over prestige, transfers, and status in English football — especially with Liverpool currently top of the table.
The Transfer Battle
Ekitike’s rise followed a breakout 2024–25 season at Eintracht Frankfurt, where he scored 15 goals and tallied eight assists in 33 Bundesliga matches. That form triggered a fierce July pursuit:
- Newcastle United: Needing to replace the outgoing Alexander Isak, who was sold to Liverpool for £120m, Newcastle lodged a club-record €80m (£69.5m) bid on July 15. Talks advanced, with terms nearly agreed during a meeting in Austria, but Frankfurt held out for €90m upfront — a figure that clashed with Newcastle’s Profit and Sustainability limits.
- Manchester United: New manager Ruben Amorim made a late push as his team languished in 14th. Despite Ekitike’s boyhood affection for United during the Ferguson era, the striker was unmoved. “United was my favorite club growing up,” he admitted. “But once Liverpool called, that was it. No hesitation.”
- Chelsea: Presented tactical blueprints to lure him, but Frankfurt were instructed to negotiate only with Liverpool.
By July 23, the Reds secured Ekitike for €80m (£69m), potentially rising to €95m (£82.4m) with add-ons — a deal funded by Champions League income and squad sales.
Why Liverpool Won
Ekitike credited Arne Slot’s vision as decisive. The Dutchman pitched a hybrid role — alternating between central striker and wide forward — designed to complement Mohamed Salah and £125m recruit Florian Wirtz.
“Liverpool wanted me in January, but I waited. Playing with Salah and Wirtz? That’s the level. I grew up playing on the wings with friends — this system fits me perfectly.”
His start has been electric: five goals in five matches, including a red-carded celebration against Southampton. Liverpool’s 13 points from 15 and Opta’s title odds (28.5%) suggest his decision is already paying off.
Fallout Across the League
The reaction elsewhere has been fiery:
- Newcastle: Still smarting from losing Isak and failing with three separate pursuits of Ekitike since 2022, fans fumed at the “smaller clubs” label. One viral X post from @MagpieJoe_ read: “Smaller? We’ve spent £400m and hit Europe three years in a row.” Eddie Howe’s side now turn to Benjamin Šeško to lead the line.
- Manchester United: Supporters were stung by the rejection, especially given Ekitike’s childhood admiration for the club. @shaunconnolly85 summed up the mood: “He loved United, then jumped to Liverpool the second they called? Ouch.”
- Pundits: Julien Laurens captured the mood in a viral post: “Newcastle out, United and Chelsea in — but Ekitike’s heart was Anfield. Frankfurt got €80m+, everyone else got burned.”
The Bigger Picture
Ekitike’s blunt words underline a shifting hierarchy. Newcastle’s financial firepower and United’s history couldn’t compete with Liverpool’s status as reigning champions and their ambitious project under Slot.
For Newcastle, Saturday’s clash with Tottenham is a chance to show they can move on. For United, reeling after a 3–1 defeat to Brentford, it’s another reminder of how far they’ve fallen.
As for Ekitike? He’s unmoved by the controversy: Liverpool is his home, and the storm his comments have caused is just collateral in the pursuit of silverware.
