Newcastle have pulled out of the race for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike in a major boost for Liverpool.

Eddie Howe's side had an €80million (£70m) bid for the 23-year-old rejected earlier this week, with Frankfurt holding out for £86m for the French forward.

Talks had been ongoing since another Newcastle target, Joao Pedro, joined Chelsea, and further meetings were held on Monday in Austria where they had arrived for pre-season training. 

Newcastle would have had to smash their transfer record to complete a move but have now left talks for the French star, with the deal considered off.

They are now focusing on other targets, including Yoane Wissa, as they look to bolster their squad ahead of their return to the Champions League. 

It spells good news for Liverpool, who are set to make a bid nearing £80m.

The Reds believe Ekitike wants to join them ahead of Newcastle and his £86m release clause won't be an issue.

They are believed to have opened talks with Frankfurt over the signing just a day after they rejected Newcastle's offer.

Mail Sport reported on Tuesday that Arne Slot's side are prepared to break the British record transfer bid for the second time this summer to secure Magpies striker Alexander Isak.

But should Isak prove difficult to prise away from Tyneside, they would be interested in securing the French youth international.  

Liverpool will have to splash out on Ekitike, with Frankfurt having tied down the attacker on a five-year contract last summer.

He only signed for the German side permanently last year for €16.5m (£14.3m), having spent the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. 

The former Reims striker has been on Newcastle's radar since 2022 but has also attracted interest this window from Chelsea and Liverpool with Manchester United in the background.

He has scored 26 goals and provided 14 assists in 64 games for Frankfurt, who will compete in the Champions League next season after finishing in third in the Bundesliga.

Newcastle remain adamant that Isak is not for sale, but they are keen to also enhance their attacking line. 

Mail Sport understands that the Magpies are now targeting Brentford's Wissa after Nottingham Forest saw a bid for the £50m-rated striker rejected. Tottenham are also interested in the Congo forward. 

Newcastle's interest in Wissa could land a heavy blow to Manchester United's hopes of completing a deal for Bryan Mbeumo.

United have been engaged in negotiations for the Frenchman throughout the summer and submitted a bid of over £60m last month. But Brentford are holding out for £65m.

However, Brentford are not willing to sell both attackers, meaning if Wissa were to move to Tyneside, United would almost certainly be unable to sign Mbeumo.

Newcastle completed a £55m deal for Anthony Elanga last week, their first major signing of the window. 

But they have largely struggled for incomings during the current window, having agreed to sell Sean Longstaff to Leeds but failed to bring in a wave of new recruits. 

Meanwhile, Liverpool have enjoyed a busy window, smashing the British transfer record with a £116m signing of Florian Wirtz.

Arne Slot has also welcomed Milos Kerkez for £40m, Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5m and Freddie Woodman on a free transfer from Preston.