Alexander Isak celebrating scoring Newcastle United's second goal against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembleyplaceholder image
Alexander Isak celebrating scoring Newcastle United's second goal against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley | Getty Images
And if a transfer can’t be agreed, the Reds are considering hijacking the Magpies’ move for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike.
As per The Athletic, Arne Slot’s side have communicated their interest to do a deal in the region of £120million. Newcastle have always said Isak is not for sale. Now that stance will be tested.
What Newcastle United have about Alexander Isak’s future
The Magpies are under no pressure to sell Isak, who has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances since joining from Real Sociedad for a club-record £62million in 2022. CEO Darren Eales claimed earlier this year that there are plans to open talks with the Swede over a new contract, which currently runs until 2028.
“We're in a position now where because of the fact we were able to move a couple of players in January [2025] that weren't really impacting on minutes on the pitch,” Eales said in March.
“We've got that wish and desire to keep our key players, they're all under long-term contracts. So from that perspective, we have no intention at all of those players being moved on, and we're not under the gun or anything like that.
“We've got an ownership that is ambitious, wants the best for the club. So from that perspective, it'd be crazy for us to consider it.
“We’re going to be clear – he [Isak] has multi years left so all of these things, we will have the discussions in terms of a new deal just like we did with, whether it’s Joelinton, Bruno or Anthony Gordon. That’s something that we will approach in the summer.”
Liverpool plot Hugo Ekitike move if Alexander Isak bid fails
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool will consider a move for Ekitike - if talks with Newcastle over Isak fail to progress. As per Sky Germany, the Magpies today had a bid worth £69million rejected for Ekitike, with Frankfurt valuing the player at £86million.
Romano told viewers on his YouTube channel: “Newcastle presented an official bid to Eintracht Frankfurt worth more than 70 million euros for Hugo Ekitike, so negotiations are ongoing club to club from Monday, and also negotiations with the player side.
“Then, what happened in the recent hours is that Liverpool called to be informed on the situation of Hugo Ekitike. Liverpool always had an interest in the player and he remains one of the options they have in the list, but Hugo Ekitike will be target only if they can't get Alexander Isak, because at this stage, Liverpool are still trying to make something crazy and special happen for Alexander Isak.
“It's really difficult, it's really complicated. Newcastle always wanted to keep the player. Newcastle believe they can offer him an important new deal with an important salary in the upcoming weeks, so Newcastle are always trying everything possible to keep the player at the club, but Liverpool want to try.
“He's always been the dream target, he's always been the top target. What I'm told is that in recent hours, Liverpool made a direct approach to Newcastle to inform them of the intention to open negotiations for a club record fee for Alexander Isak. So, if Newcastle get Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool really want to try for Alexander Isak. That's the mission for Liverpool.
“Then, if Alexander Isak will not be available on the market, Hugo Ekitike can be an option not only for Newcastle, who wanted Hugo Ekitike and want Hugo Ekitike not based on what happens with Isak, but in any case, they believe they can play together and that could be also part of succession plan for the future of the club, but they wanted Ekitike.
“Now, if Liverpool are going to be able to make something happen for Alexander Isak, we will see, but for sure they are trying, making a direct approach to Newcastle for Alexander Isak. Then, it's now for Newcastle. They can decide whether to sell or whether to reject.”