LONDON: Liverpool are preparing to launch a bid for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike after missing out on Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, according to reports on Friday.
The Premier League champions have switched their focus to Ekitike following Newcastle’s refusal to sell Sweden striker Isak, who is valued at around £150 million ($201 million) by the Magpies.
The Reds are trying to complete a deal for France international Ekitike by this weekend after he reportedly indicated he was willing to move to Anfield.
Liverpool are set to offer over £70 million ($94 million) for Ekitike, who has also attracted interest from Newcastle and Manchester United.
The 23-year-old scored 22 goals in all competitions for Frankfurt last season after joining the Bundesliga club from Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool have an opening in their forward line after Diogo Jota’s recent death in a car crash in Spain.
The Reds are also believed to be willing to sell Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, while Colombia forward Luis Diaz has been the target of a rejected bid from Bayern Munich.
Liverpool have already splashed out £116 million on Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz, as well as signing defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth respectively.
Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has also linked up with Arne Slot’s side since the end of last season after agreeing his move from Valencia in 2024.
Liverpool line up swoop for Frankfurt striker Ekitike: reports
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Liverpool line up swoop for Frankfurt striker Ekitike: reports
- The Premier League champions are yet to make a formal offer for Isak
- He scored 23 Premier League goals last season to fire the club into the Champions League
NBA legend Jordan, NASCAR settle anti-trust lawsuit
- Suit accused NASCAR and the racing circuit’s chief executive operating without transparency, stifling competition and controlling the sport
- Front Row and 23XI were the only two NASCAR teams out of 15 who did not sign the new charters at the heart of the dispute
MIAMI: NBA legend Michael Jordan reached a settlement in his anti-trust case against NASCAR on Thursday, ending a federal lawsuit that had threatened to upend the sport.
Jordan’s 23XI Racing and the Front Row Motorsports teams had both sued NASCAR after refusing to sign the circuit’s new charters, the rules which guarantee teams entry to races and share of prize money.
Front Row and 23XI alleged the charters were unfair and did not give the teams enough rights or money.
The suit accused NASCAR and the racing circuit’s chief executive Jim France of operating without transparency, stifling competition, and controlling the sport in ways that unfairly benefit them at the expense of team owners, drivers, sponsors, partners and fans.
However in a joint statement issued on Thursday, the warring factions announced a settlement had now been reached which would see NASCAR issue an amendment to existing charter holders. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“From the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress,” Jordan said in a statement.
“It was about making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees and fans,” added Jordan, who had testified in court last week after the trial got underway.
“With a foundation to build equity and invest in the future and a stronger voice in the decisions ahead, we now have the chance to grow together and make the sport even better for generations to come,” Jordan said.
Front Row and 23XI were the only two NASCAR teams out of 15 who did not sign the new charters at the heart of the dispute.
NASCAR chief executive France said Thursday’s agreement ensured the future of the circuit for “generations to come.”
“We worked closely with race teams and tracks to create the NASCAR charter system in 2016, and it has proven invaluable to their operations and to the quality of racing across the Cup Series,” France said.
“Today’s agreement reaffirms our commitment to preserving and enhancing that value.”
