Newcastle United are moving on without Alexander Isak, finally pressing ahead after a dark cloud that’s hung over the club over the past 40 days has disappeared for good.
However, one thing Newcastle can learn from that five-week saga is our management of contract situations and protecting against a similar situation unfolding in the future.
There was nothing alarmingly wrong with Isak’s deal – he was a top earner and still had three years left to run – but it showed how quickly a player can become unsettled and push for a move if they feel something isn’t right.
On that note, it’s emerged from [The iPaper’s](https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/saudi-pif-alexander-isak-newcastle-future-3892017?ito=link_share_article-top) Mark Douglas Newcastle are in talks with Tino Livramento over a bumper new deal following summer interest from Man City, while Sandro Tonali and Sven Botman are next in line.
Livramento, 22, is now a full England international and one of the top talents in the Premier League. His deal doesn’t run out until the summer of 2028, but rewarding his superb form and impressive rise makes sense as Man City circle.
Equally, Newcastle’s ‘interest’ in discussing a new improved deal for Tonali also makes sense now the 25-year-old Italian is considered one of the top midfielders in Europe.
As for Botman, he may need to prove his fitness levels are on the up this season after a tough 18 months, but he remains one of our top assets and has entered the final two years of his deal, which is due to expire in 2027.
Fail to agree new terms soon and you risk a Marc Guehi situation, where the player approaches the final 12 months of his contract and risks leaving on a cut-price fee or a free agent.
Newcastle aren’t close to that situation now, but it’s wise to see the club get to work on these deals early.