Alexander Isak Reportedly Pushing Hard to Force Newcastle Exit
Getting the player out of Newcastle, though, has proven difficult. An initial £110M bid, always intended to be the starting point for negotiations, was rejected so vehemently that Liverpool stepped back from negotiations. At the same time, Newcastle have struggled mightily to source a potential replacement.
Increasingly over the past week, the transfer has begun to feel in doubt. In response, it appears Isak has now decided he will push hard to force the issue. Multiple reliable reports today have emerged detailing numerous aspects both of that push and detailing the player's unhappiness with his club.
From journalists with Newcastle connections there are reports citing Isak's determination to leave; more neutral outlets are saying he has left his Newcastle home and intends not to return; Liverpool-connected channels have it that Isak will not re-join his team regardless the outcome of a Liverpool transfer.
Perhaps the most interesting and illuminating aspect of it all, though, is confirmation of the reasons for the striker's current extreme stance. Namely, Isak believes he properly and respectfully told Newcastle of his desire to move on from the club a year ago and has maintained that stance ever since.
Newcastle, so the story goes, were informed 2024-25 would be his final year. That stance was reiterated towards the end of the season. Isak believed the club had accepted this reality and would not unduly work to prevent that, and that they had more than ample time to plan for a future without him.
Isak could have pushed for a move last summer. Instead, he gave Newcastle what he believed would be one last year, putting in world class performances and helping them qualify for the Champions League. Now he wants to leave, and believes he is owed a degree of respect from the club on that front.
In many ways it's not dissimilar to the case of Brentford player Yoane Wissa, currently targeted by Newcastle but with his club unwilling to sell despite the player believing they would not stand in the way of his departure this summer if he agreed to stay and gave them another season last summer.
We know Liverpool's stance. Namely, that they will pay a British record transfer fee to sign Isak. We also now quite clearly know Isak's. Namely, that he tried to get a transfer done in the right way but believes Newcastle have not held up their side of the bargain from when he agreed to stay last summer.
Newcastle, though, hold the strongest position, with Isak under contract for three more years. Still, this is the strongest and most public showing yet of Isak's will to leave. And if Newcastle hoped he would uncomplainingly buckle down for a second final season, he's now shown clearly he won't.
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