How Man Utd could be biggest losers in the Liverpool and Newcastle’s transfer battles over Isak and Ekitike

MANCHESTER UNITED could end up being the biggest losers in Liverpool and Newcastle's game of transfer ping-pong.

The champions and Eddie Howe's Toon have been scrapping all week over Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.

With Newcastle standing firm on their stance that striker Isak is not for sale, Liverpool have now moved to gazump them for £86million-rated Ekitike.

And Man Utd could find themselves caught in the crossfire.

Newcastle had an opening bid of a club-record £69.5m knocked back by Frankfurt for Ekitike earlier this week.

And they have now walked away from the race after Liverpool agreed a six-year deal with the French frontman.

For Newcastle, that means turning their attention elsewhere.

And it is understood their new top target is Brentford forward Yoane Wissa.

It's that move for Wissa that could have a detrimental impact on Man Utd's transfer business.

United have already seen their own approach for Ekitike rebuffed this summer.

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And they could now miss out on long-term target Bryan Mbeumo too if Newcastle get his Bees team-mate Wissa.

United have had two bids rejected for Mbeumo this summer - with the latest believed to be worth north of £60m.

United launched a belated third bid on Thursday.

But they could now find Mbeumo's price rise even more - or Brentford refuse to do business at all - if Newcastle get a Wissa deal done first.

United have already spent a huge chunk of their summer pursuing Mbeumo, with their first bid arriving for the 25-year-old well over a month ago.

Of course, if Man Utd are able to get their deal over the line for Mbeumo quickly then it could be Newcastle who are met with challenges in their pursuit of Wissa.

Wissa, who scored 19 Premier League goals last term, has already received interest from other Prem clubs this summer.

Brentford have to be careful regarding exits following the decision to sell captain Christian Norgaard to Arsenal and the fact that long-term boss Thomas Frank has left to take charge of Spurs - taking three members of his backroom staff with him.

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