If You Remove the Isak FactorIn his latest Daily Red podcast, Dave Hendrick provided a detailed dissection of Liverpool’s ongoing pursuit of Hugo

The French striker has an £86 million release clause, but Liverpool now look to have a clean run to negotiate a more favourable fee or structure after seeing Newcastle United cool their interest in the 23-year-old. READ MORE: Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool transfer latest - Contract details, ‘agreement’, Alexander Isak impact

Replacing him with Hugo Ekitike is a bold but calculated move. The Frenchman’s numbers are impressive and he fits the modern mould — intelligent movement, clinical finishing and positional versatility. It signals that Arne Slot wants to build his forward line around pace and awareness, not just power.

Hugo Ekitike is finally on the cusp of completing his transfer to Liverpool. Liverpool have been in the market for a new striker since the window first opened at the start of June. And, while players such as Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo managed to fill in and do a solid job as strikers, their main number nine, Darwin Nunez, was miles off the pace.

Liverpool might be interested to learn why their new striker target Hugo Ekitike was criticised by his Eintracht Frankfurt manager last term.

In the latest Blood Red column, Ian Doyle looks at Liverpool's pursuit of Hugo Ekitike and why the Reds are chasing his signature

Can they afford him? What would the deal mean for Isak? Our reporters dissect the news Newcastle are in talks to sign the French forward

Liverpool are in the market for a new striker and are locked in talks with Eintracht Frankfurt over a deal which would see Hugo Ekitike head to Anfield for big money