Alexander Isak keeps being linked with a move to Liverpool but Newcastle United do not need to sell him during this summer’s transfer window.
Newcastle value Isak at over £150million, so Liverpool would need to break the British transfer record to sign the Newcastle United star this summer.
The Swedish superstar is considered one of the best forwards in world football right now and the Magpies look to be in a strong position to keep him.
While the club will soon have talks with the 25-year-old over a new deal, Isak’s contract at Newcastle runs until the summer of 2028.
A British record sum, however, might be enough to tempt any club into selling. Money, after all, talks.
With that in mind, Geordie Boot Boys spoke to football finance expert Adam Williams about the Isak situation at Newcastle.
Alexander Isak celebrates scoring for Newcastle United against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Newcastle United could reject £200m for Alexander Isak
Williams pointed to Newcastle’s strength when it came to their position with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) this summer. PSR rules do not allow clubs to lose more than £105million over a three-year accounting period.
Newcastle’s PSR position is healthy and, as such, they are under no immediate pressure to sell any of their best players.
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“There are a few ways of looking at Newcastle’s position when it comes to Isak,” said Williams.
“First, take a look at short-term PSR. Through this lens, Newcastle are under no pressure whatsoever to sell Isak.
“Once the new three-year PSR assessment window begins from 30 June, they instantly get far more breathing space because the heavy loss they made in 2022-23 is no longer part of the equation.
“Also, they’ve got Champions League money to work with. So, in that sense, even if they go and spend up to £200m this summer, they don’t need to sell Isak or indeed anyone else to make it happen.
However, there is a flip side. PSR means Newcastle can’t go out and splash the cash like Chelsea and Manchester City did following their takeovers many years ago.
Instead, player trading is of the utmost importance. In some years, Newcastle will be able to spend. In others, they may not be able to, like supporters saw in 2024.
Williams highlights that Isak’s market value is perhaps at its highest now. Still, it must be stressed that just because that looks to be the case, it doesn’t mean it’d be a good idea to sell him.
“On the reverse side, Newcastle accept what they have to do with a player trading approach because of their long-term PSR position,” added Williams.
Alexander Isak reacts during a Newcastle United game against Everton in the Premier League.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
“They have said they are always going to the maximum they’re allowed to under PSR, so you’re inevitably going to be buying and selling players in three-year cycles.
“If you don’t sell Isak now when his stock is at an all-time high and you are negotiating from a position of strength in terms of your short-term PSR position, when do you?
“Or else, you’re weighing up whether you get more value on the pitch from £150m or Isak himself until 2028, when his contract expires. I think one interesting element here is that the expanded Champions League model and the extra revenue it generates should actually increase the value of players.
“If Isak is more likely to get you in the top four or five, he should be worth more than he was under the old Champions League system. If he gets you into the Champions League two years out of three, that can be £120m-plus worth of revenue right there.
“So my take would be that there is nothing forcing Newcastle to sell, even at a British record transfer fee. If they do relent, it will be because of strategy, not necessity.”
What Eddie Howe has said about Alexander Isak’s future at Newcastle United
Eddie Howe provided what looked an ominous update on Isak’s future at Newcastle when speaking to journalists following the defeat at Arsenal in May.
The Newcastle United manager said: “I never make those guarantees about any player. It’s not to do with Alex’s future but I would be foolish to sit here and do anything like that.”
Still, it would indeed have been foolish for Howe to come out and give guarantees about a single player. Anything can happen in football and the absurd frequently has done.
Promisingly, Isak has confirmed he’s happy at Newcastle and, given their strong financial position, it looks as if it would take an absolutely gargantuan offer to even get a conversation started.
Unlike last summer, Newcastle are the captains of their own ship when it comes to keeping players.