Revealed: How Liverpool snatched Huge Ekitike from under Newcastle's noses in £79m transfer despite 'everything being agreed' for Magpies switch

Magpies boss Eddie Howe and his opposite number at Anfield, Arne Slot, found themselves in the market for attacking firepower during the summer window. Newcastle required a No.9 after seeing Alexander Isak push for a move away from Tyneside.

The Swede eventually ended up joining Liverpool in a record-breaking £125m ($169m) agreement, but only after the Reds had already added French frontman Ekitike to their ranks. That deal was done when it appeared as though Newcastle would resist any interest in Isak.

The Magpies thought that they had won the race for Ekitike’s signature, with Manchester United also forming part of that clamour, but the highly-rated 23-year-old headed to Merseyside following a late play from Slot and Co.

Ali Barat, who was working on Ekitike's move, has told Tuttosport when asked if there was a deal that left him frustrated during the last window: “Hugo Ekitike. I was working on behalf of Eintracht Frankfurt to bring him to Newcastle. I stayed in Germany for 10 days. We agreed everything with the German club and the player, then Liverpool called him and he chose Anfield.”

Ekitike has made an impressive start to life at Liverpool, with his goal account being opened in the Community Shield. He now has three efforts to his name, having also been on target in the Premier League. It remains to be seen whether he is used alongside Isak when the most expensive player in British football is ready to make his Reds bow.