Newcastle insist Alexander Isak 'not for sale' as PIF intervene
However, the ultimate decision over his future will lie in the hands of chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), in a saga that has begun to ripple through the club just as they embark on their pre-season tour of the Far East.
Telegraph Sport has revealed that PIF, the majority owners of the club, will have the final say on Isak's future. Despite growing speculation, including serious interest from Premier League champions Liverpool, there remains a defiant mood within St James' Park.
Liverpool have indicated a willingness to shatter the British transfer record with a bid of £120 million for the Swedish international. While eye-catching, such a sum falls well short of Newcastle's valuation, which is believed to exceed £150 million. No formal offer has yet been submitted, but that could change in the coming days as Liverpool seek to test Newcastle's resolve.
Isak, 25, has three years remaining on his current deal and has been unequivocally told by the club that he is not available for transfer this summer. Nonetheless, rumours that the forward is open to exploring his options have unsettled the squad and caught the coaching staff off guard.
Newcastle's unexpected move in recent days to assess a deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško has only added fuel to the fire. Šeško has long been admired by the Magpies' recruitment team, but it remains unclear whether he is being lined up as a partner for Isak — or as a potential successor.
The involvement of Al-Rumayyan in this matter is highly unusual. The PIF chairman typically maintains a low profile in the daily operations of the club, preferring to leave footballing decisions to head coach Eddie Howe and his staff. But with Isak's future now seen as a matter of strategic significance, PIF have decided to take direct control.
The timing of the developments has also caused unrest. Eddie Howe and his squad landed in Singapore early Friday for their pre-season preparations, only to be blindsided by media reports suggesting Isak wanted to reconsider his future. Teammates were reportedly confused by the situation, especially as Isak had earlier told the group he was sidelined with an injury.
The coming weeks promise to be pivotal. While Newcastle remain adamant that Isak is central to their ambitions, the fact that the highest levels of club ownership are now involved suggests this is far more than routine transfer chatter.
One thing is certain: if Liverpool do formalise their interest with a record-breaking bid, the pressure on PIF and Al-Rumayyan to either stand firm or cash in will reach boiling point.
📸 Stu Forster - 2025 Getty Images
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