One of Alexander Isak’s international teammates has given the Newcastle United star his public backing as he tries to force a move to Liverpool.
The transfer saga has lasted the entire summer, but fans only have to wait one more day before learning the final decision. It remains to be seen whether Newcastle United will keep Alexander Isak or if he will get the move to Liverpool he has been so desperate for.
Isak has refused to train with his Newcastle teammates during the summer months as he tried to get his move to the Premier League champions, who have shown significant interest.
Newcastle have stood firm throughout, stating that they will only accept £150m for the Sweden international, and have already rejected a tempting £110m offer from Liverpool in August. Reports have stated that Liverpool are ready to make a new offer for Isak, but the Reds may be leaving it to the last minute.
The 25-year-old’s future is still unknown, but he has now received the backing of one of his international teammates.
Alexander Isak of Sweden looks on before the International Friendly match between Sweden and Northern Ireland
Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images
Sweden international backs Alexander Isak during Newcastle United standoff
Newcastle have a decision to make before the transfer window closes. Do they offer Isak to Liverpool or keep him and risk his strike action to last even longer?
It is a situation like no other, a Newcastle player refusing to make himself available for his team in the hope he can get a move away. Isak has opted not to train or play during that time, even though Eddie Howe was in desperate need of a quality striker.
Newcastle have signed Nick Woltemade, who many will argue is a replacement for Isak, rather than Callum Wilson.
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Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson defended Isak, and now Anton Saletros, one of his international teammates, has publicly backed the Newcastle man.
“First and foremost, he is a fantastic footballer,” he told Expressen
“It is no wonder that Liverpool, as one of the biggest clubs in the world, want him.
“I don’t have enough insight into the situation. What they have agreed on, what has been promised, what has not been promised. It’s hard for me to say.
“This happens every day for clubs. They have also signed contracts with players that they send down to the B-team, or do not let them train with the team. So, send them out to run without the ball in the afternoons. This happens every day. Clubs do this to players who have families to support with their jobs.
“They say that players who have signed a contract should play and be quiet. When clubs do it to players, nothing is said. You can see it in different ways.”
It is make or break for Alexander Isak at Newcastle United
With a day left in the transfer window, Isak’s future at Newcastle is hanging in the balance, but he could still stay at the club if Liverpool opts against putting in a new offer.
The Magpies have stuck to their guns throughout the summer and have done everything in their power to try and get Isak back into first-team training ahead of the new season.
Howe had a meeting with Isak upon his return to the training ground, and then it was revealed that Newcastle’s owners held a meeting with Isak at his house. However, all of their efforts were to no avail.
With Isak’s move to Liverpool still not nailed on, he could find himself trying to get reintegrated into the Magpies’ starting XI after the deadline.
While his move away remains unclear, one thing that is crystal clear is that Isak has a lot of work to do to earn the trust of the Newcastle fans if he ends up staying.