Liverpool signed Frankfurt striker Ekitic this summer, with a transfer fee of 95 million euros. It is reported that the French striker was close to joining Newcastle for a time, but the Reds took the lead.
agent Ali Ballat talked about the deal, saying: "About Ekitic, I was operating his transfer to Newcastle on behalf of the Frankfurt Club at the time. I stayed in Germany for ten days and we agreed with Frankfurt and the players. But then Liverpool called Ekitic and he chose Anfield."