Alexander Isak’s future at Newcastle United has been thrown into chaos. The star striker, who has scored an incredible 62 goals in just 109 games for the Magpies, is now refusing to play. His goal? Force a dream move to Liverpool before the transfer window closes.
Many fans are wondering: why now, and why in such a dramatic fashion? The answer might lie with a man who has been involved in some of the most controversial moments in European football: Vlado Lemic.
Vlado Lemic is a 59-year-old Serbian adviser who has been in football for over 25 years. He is not an official FIFA-licensed agent, but he is known for making big moves happen behind the scenes. His company, Universal Twenty Two, represents some of the biggest names in the sport, including World Cup winner Emi Martinez and Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric.
Lemic started his career by helping players from Serbia and nearby countries move to the Netherlands. Over time, he built a reputation for political maneuvering, playing clubs, agents, and players against each other to secure the deals he wanted.
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His first major controversy came in the early 2000s when he was working with PSV Eindhoven. Lemic was accused of financial misconduct, accusations that were never proven, but he was still banned from entering the club’s training ground.
In 2012, FIFA investigated him over the transfer of Croatian midfielder Milan Badelj from Dinamo Zagreb to Hamburg. The claim was that Lemic profited from an inflated transfer fee. FIFA later cleared him, stating there was “no substantial involvement” in that particular transfer.
During this period, Lemic built strong ties with Premier League giants Chelsea and owner Roman Abramovich. He was said to be involved in bringing Branislav Ivanovic and Nemanja Matic to Stamford Bridge in 2008 and 2009.
He also helped create a deal between Chelsea and PSV, where players signed by Chelsea would be loaned to PSV until they could get work permits in the UK.
Lemic’s influence reached Spain when Luka Modric left Tottenham for Real Madrid in 2012. With his help, Real Madrid inserted a jaw-dropping £387 million release clause into Modric’s contract, a number that stunned the football world.
Despite his influence, not all clubs have welcomed him. Ajax and Swedish side AIK are both said to have stopped working with him, following PSV’s example.
One of the strangest facts about Lemic is that he is not a licensed FIFA agent. Instead, he calls himself an adviser and works through licensed agents like his brother Zoran Lemic and close partner Sven Mislintat.
For Alexander Isak’s transfer saga, most official communication has gone through Gonzalo Gaitan, another associate.
Under Lemic’s advice, Isak is now taking a huge risk by refusing to play for Newcastle. The club has no obligation to sell him this summer, and finding a replacement has been very difficult.
Liverpool have already made a £110 million bid, but Newcastle are standing firm. Isak’s strike, and the public drama, could either push Newcastle to give in or backfire completely.
One thing is clear: Lemic has a history of getting what he wants. From high-profile transfers to long-term football partnerships, he has made millions from his “advisory” work.
Now, he is facing one of his biggest tests. Can he get Isak to Liverpool before the window closes? Or will Newcastle’s refusal break his streak of success?
While Liverpool fans dream of seeing Isak in red, some are worried about the long-term risks. Having a player represented by such a controversial adviser, one who has faced FIFA investigation, could bring future headaches for the club.
Whatever happens, the story of Alexander Isak, Newcastle United, Liverpool, and Vlado Lemic is already one of the most explosive football transfer sagas in recent memory.
