Newcastle United have robustly told Liverpool that Alexander Isak will not be sold this summer.
Simon Jordan believes Alexander Isak is playing the perfect game to secure a lucrative contract extension at Newcastle United.
A game of transfer poker has unfolded since the Magpies began negotiations for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. Liverpool fans have been getting carried away on social media believing this indicates Isak heading to Anfield for a British record fee.
While an enquiry was made, NewcastleWorld understands the Swede is not for sale and any Ekitike deal would be to assist the Toon talisman. Eddie Howe is aiming to bulk up his attacking options ahead of a Champions League campaign.
Hugo Ekitike price tag questioned
Speaking to talkSPORT, former Crystal Palace owner Jordan gave his thoughts on why Newcastle want to sign another striker. He said: “Well, they've lost Calum Wilson, haven't they? So whether they can convince a boy, I mean, the money that they're asking for, he didn't hit the ground at PSG, did he?
“He's gone to Frankfurt, he's played 30 or 40 games, and all of a sudden he's a £90million footballer. The world's gone mad. I would assume that Newcastle now are in a situation where, economically, they're able to meet the challenges of PSR, which they weren't previously.”
Perfect time for Newcastle United to strike
“Newcastle have kicked on,” Jordan added. “They've won the League Cup, which is quite the cup that my team (Crystal Palace) won, but a cup. They've got a Champions League berth now. They've seen that Aston Villa and other teams have really profited from this new format of the Champions League.
“So buying a player like this, if indeed that's what they intend to do, to supplement alongside Isak, then they are really putting their best foot forward now and starting to say ‘Ok, we've had three years under the Saudi ownership, we've got Eddie Howe in position, the team is a great team to watch, and if we’re going to have a tilt at trying to overturn the orthodoxy, now is as good a time as any’.”
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‘Agent manipulation’ - Simon Jordan
Jordan also suggested Isak is using the situation to strike a lucrative contract extension. If the ex-owner were in charge at St James' Park, he would tell the 25-year-old to honour his existing terms.
“I look at the Isak situation, and I think this is all (down to the) agent,” Jordan said. “This is all agent manipulation because you hear in the background that he wants to rock in, with three years left to go on his contract, and suggest that he needs a pay rise. Now, if you're then able to put the fear of God into Newcastle, which is by saying, ‘These guys over here, a legacy football club, Premier League champions, they're going to come sniffing with £130million’, which won't get him out of Newcastle, by the way.
“They're going to have to go bigger and bolder than that. Then you've got a case to say to Newcastle, 'Pony up. You want him to stay, then you get him to pay’. Nobody held you (Isak) down, put your feet and put thumbscrews on to you and suggested that you should sign for this paltry sum of £120,000 per week.
“You've got what you and your agent asked for. Now, coming out three years to go, not 18 months, but three years to go and potentially saying, I can exploit the circumstances, is the reality of the world. But it's also a little bit whiffy. I don't like it. You sign a contract, you've got three years to go.”
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