The starting point of Liverpool’s move for Ekitike arrived at the end of last season.
They’d just lifted their second Premier League trophy – scoring 86 goals in the process, the most of any top-flight club that campaign.
Mohamed Salah, their main source of goals, had just signed a new contract, as well.
So there seemed little logic in spending heavily on a new goalscorer. But Arne Slot had other plans.
Among the recruitment priorities for Liverpool was the addition of a new number nine.
Slot had persisted with Darwin Nunez for parts of the season – but it is clear the Liverpool manager wanted an upgrade.
Nunez could yet leave Anfield this summer, with interest from Napoli and Saudi Arabia.
Liverpool’s dream target was Newcastle striker Isak, who was also interesting Arsenal.
But given his importance to Eddie Howe and a likely price tag that would go towards £130m, Liverpool knew they needed to source alternatives.
Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa were among the other strikers considered.
We now know their interest in Ekitike is as serious as their admiration for Isak.
Talk of Liverpool’s interest in Isak has been rife in industry circles throughout the summer. The emergence this week of Liverpool’s approach to Newcastle confirmed what many believed was coming.
However, in retrospect, news of that approach arrived at a peculiar time.
Newcastle were trying to advance with their interest in Ekitike earlier this week, seeing a £70m offer rejected by Eintracht.
Less than 48 hours later, Liverpool have pivoted to Ekitike in a move that probably ends their immediate interest in Isak while Newcastle are looking at alternatives that include Wissa.
