Liverpool transfer news: Agent reveals how close Hugo Ekitike came to joining Newcastle United before Anfield move

The agent of Hugo Ekitike reveals how close the Frenchman came to signing for Newcastle United this summer.

Earlier in the transfer window, Ekitike made the decision to leave Eintracht Frankfurt for Liverpool in what is alleged to be a £79m deal.

Ekitike has since proven to be value for money during the early stages of his Anfield, contributing two goals and one assist from his first three Premier League appearances.

One of those strikes came in the dramatic 3-2 victory over Newcastle towards the end of August, rubbing salt into the wounds of the Magpies supporters.

Ali Barat, one of Ekitike's representatives, has now revealed whether the 23-year-old was close to making the switch to the North-East.

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'Everything was agreed'

Speaking in an interview with Tuttosport, Barat has claimed that he spent 10 days in Frankfurt attempting to complete a deal with Newcastle.

Barat said: "I was working on behalf of Eintracht Frankfurt to bring him to Newcastle, I stayed in Germany for ten days.

"We agreed everything with the German club and the player. Then Liverpool called him and he chose Anfield."

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Did Liverpool or Newcastle get the better deal?

Liverpool have since signed Alexander Isak from Newcastle in a British-record transfer deal worth between £125m and £130m.

As a result, Liverpool have spent nearly £210m on two new strikers, whereas Newcastle have agreed deals for Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa that could total £124m.

Newcastle would have realistically preferred to have Isak and Ekitike in their ranks, something which theoretically looked plausible earlier in the summer.

Even with the extra outlay, there can be no denying that Liverpool have gotten the better deal at this point, particularly when Woltemade has looked less than convincing for Germany over the international break.

Although Woltemade starred during the Under-21 European Championship in June and July, he only has one campaign on his record - last season's 18-goal return at Stuttgart - where he has made an impact in a top-flight division.