Alexander Isak’s transfer story is getting more dramatic by the day. The Newcastle United striker, wanted by Liverpool, is now making headlines not for his goals, but for his refusal to play for the Magpies again.
The Swedish forward, 25, joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022 for £63 million. He became a fan favourite, scoring important goals, including the winner in last season’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, giving Newcastle their first major trophy in 70 years.
But now, the relationship between Isak and Newcastle seems broken beyond repair. Reports say he has told the club he will never play for them again. He has been training away from the first team after missing manager Eddie Howe’s pre-season tour of Asia.
Liverpool have already made a huge £110 million offer for Isak, but Newcastle rejected it quickly. The Magpies have set a £150 million price tag, and they want to sign a replacement before letting him go.
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Nicky Butt, a Newcastle legend and former Manchester United star, has warned Liverpool boss Arne Slot that Isak’s behaviour is a “red flag.” Speaking to Mirror Football via BetMGM, Butt said:
“I’ve never met Isak, but he always looked like a decent guy on the pitch. The way he has behaved is really disrespectful to the club. Knowing what the fans are like up there, I wish him all the best, but this would be a red flag for me if I was a manager.”
Butt also admitted that we might not know the full story. He said Isak could have been told by someone that the only way to force a move is to “kick up a fuss.” According to Butt, this is sadly common in modern football, with agents playing big roles in these decisions.
“If this is his dream to play for Liverpool, maybe he’s gone out of character for a while. But if a player comes to you and says they want to go, I think it’s better to let them go, get the money, shake hands, and move on,” Butt explained.
For Butt, the whole situation is sad because Newcastle had such a brilliant season. They not only won a trophy but also qualified for the Champions League.
“It’s a shame to see your star player act like this after such an amazing season. I hope they sell him now so the club can move on and get players who want to play for Newcastle,” he added.
Butt warned that once you lose trust in the dressing room, it’s very hard to get it back. Even if Isak apologised to the fans, he might struggle to win back the support of his teammates.
Isak is not the first player to try to force a move. Earlier this summer, Viktor Gyokeres skipped Sporting CP’s pre-season to push for a move to Arsenal. That deal eventually went through for £64 million. But for Isak, things are less certain.
Liverpool, who have already spent more than £250 million this summer on Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike, and Jeremie Frimpong, are also chasing Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi and Parma’s Giovanni Leoni. That means they might not have enough left to meet Newcastle’s £150 million demand before the transfer deadline on September 1.
If no deal is made, Isak could remain at Newcastle, but still refuse to play. He is under contract until 2028, which could make the standoff even more tense.
For Newcastle, selling him could free up money to strengthen their squad with players who are committed to the club. For Liverpool, signing Isak would bring them a proven Premier League striker, but at a massive cost and with concerns over his attitude.
The coming weeks will decide if this is just a messy transfer story, or if it becomes one of the most dramatic football sagas in recent years.
