KaKa

Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal were all in the mix earlier in the summer. It's only recently all three clubs have focused on other options.

Yeah, there were loads of rumours with us going for him at one point, and even claims we made a bid too. Could be an option if he's been made available by PSG now.

Yeah, you're not wrong. It can all look a bit awkward at times with them getting a hold of the ball. Samu is still really young and so has time on his side to continue to improve, but work still needed in that area for sure.

Yeah Openda is decent. He did have a bit of a down year though, as his goal numbers dropped from the previous season. Think he also doesn't get as much hype because he's on the smaller side, and so in single striker formations, I think most clubs want someone with more of a presence up top.

Both he and Sesko have the best physical and athletic profiles of the young up and coming strikers. They are big, athletic and quick. However, Sesko surpasses Samu technically. The ball will bounce off Samu a fair bit and he can look awkward on the ball at times. Think Sesko is much further along in that regard. Both have immense potential.

Sesko plays in a front two at Leipzig. He's a well rounded forward. Openda was typically the one that looked to get further forward between the two. He's not as gifted technically or as silky smooth as Ekitike, but he's not just some big lump. He is very comfortable on the ball. He's massive, but he's really athletic and quick as well. Seems to be a fair bit of confusion surrounding him on here.

Think folks need to start getting used to this as part of going after top players. Liverpool themselves got cucked by Caicedo, Lavia, Zubimendi, Bellingham and even their very very own Trent.

Since the start time of the year we've been linked with so many top young forwards in some form or fashion. We clearly want another really good young forward option to both interchange with and partner Isak in different setups. The difference between Newcastle and both Chelsea and Liverpool is that we already have a certified number 1 striker in place. I'm really starting to think we're just working our way through a list of options and drawing out interest from the other clubs, until they've taken who they want, so we can then move for who is still available, and who will then likely come at a more reasonable price once there are less clubs still looking to get a striker. With Isak already established at the club, we don't need to battle with Chelsea or Liverpool for a striker. We now have Delap, Pedro and perhaps Ekitike all snapped up. There have been links with Sesko, Aghehowa, Woltemade, Kalimuendo etc. Let's see who's next that we go for. These other clubs can't sign everyone. Keeping Isak is the priority, and adding to him with someone else, and so Liverpool getting Ekitike will go a long way to ensuring that happens.

Liverpool also currently don't have a striker, so he'd go straight in for them upfront.

Feels like there's been a huge media push regarding Liverpool going for Isak for months now that culminated with them making their move yesterday. Today was eerily quiet with lots of rehashing of the same information from yesterday. And claims Liverpool are going to come in for Ekitike. I think they'd have been hoping it would all rattle Newcastle and Isak in particular, but still no word of him being unsettled or outright asking to leave or handing in a transfer request. We're now slowly starting to see them linked with Watkins and Mateta again. Not sure it's worked out like they hoped.

Yeah, we've been linked to a lot of strikers over the past few months. Sesko included too. We just need to wait for all this drama and noise to subside. We'll get someone in eventually, and I'm pretty certain it will be someone really good.

These Liverpool lot are so embarrassing man. It's actually incomparable

About time we started ruffling some feathers with these entitled "Top 6" pricks. I'm loving this personally!

Just a bit more context. Very similar profile of striker to Ekitike. Ivanovic Ekitike

Really good sign this. This guy is highly rated and is coming off a really good season in the Belgian league. They also already signed Burkardt a couple of weeks ago, who's been really good in the Bundesliga already.

Not surprised. The later they leave it the more likely Brentford would raise the price, as it's leaving them less time to get a replacement in. Isn't this how they ended up paying £90 million for Antony?!

Keep Isak. We have a decent amount of money to spend on another striker. If not Ekitike it will be someone else of a very decent level. I don't understand why Liverpool fans think they're making some power play by threatening that they will go for Ekitike. Fine go for him then!

Well they should care, because we are buying Ekitike not as some contingency plan, but to interchange with and pair with Isak. And so, if they want to take a run at Isak the offer has to be one we feel uncomfortable rejecting, and so a whole lot more than that ridiculous £120 million package. They're operating as though we have secured a replacement, and are looking for a buyer!

There is a chance they thought the best time to show clear interest was once we were close to securing another striker. No one seems to understand or believe that we are looking to rotate and pair our strikers together at times. The last time both Isak and Wilson had a good run of fitness, they were both playing games and scoring goals, and featured as a tandem a decent amount, and it ultimately fired us into the Champions League. They will soon learn.

I've felt from the start that a lot of this noise could well be instigated by his agent, to help get the best deal they can in contract negotiations with us. Liverpool have then tried to chance their arm at an enquiry off the back of this. This could all end with Liverpool looking daft if we can come to an agreement with Isak on a new deal, which would be absolutely hilarious.

Then we'll have to lawyer up and take the Premier League to court. The benchmark will have to be the fees being forked out to other clubs for comparable players to the ones we own.