Newcastle United defender Emil Krafth has responded to Alexander Isak’s British transfer record move to Liverpool on deadline day.
While the Magpies made six quality additions to their first-team squad, the story of the summer to come out of the Premier League was whether Alexander Isak was going to leave Newcastle United.
For the majority of the transfer window, the word out of Newcastle was that Isak was not for sale, and even if he were to go, Liverpool would need to cough up an eye-watering £150m.
In the end, it was evident that Isak’s position as Newcastle’s star striker was untenable. The Swedish star completely refused to play for the club, even after the start of the Premier League season.
Newcastle’s owners met with Isak at his house in an attempt to get him back on board with the club, offering him a new deal with a release clause. However, he had made up his mind.
With the transfer saga over, and Isak a Liverpool player, Emil Krafth has become the third Newcastle player to address the transfer saga.
Emil Krafth and Alexander Isak on board a plan to Newcastle United's Pre Season Tour to Japan
Photo by Harriet Massey/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Emil Krafth says Alexander Isak’s transfer saga was a tough time for him
Anthony Elanga says Newcastle’s dressing room is chill about Isak. The winger did not have much to say about the situation, merely saying he was now a Liverpool player after leaving Newcastle.
Elsewhere, Dan Burn says there is no animosity towards Isak and revealed that the 25-year-old messaged Newcastle’s private group to tell them goodbye.
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Now, Krafth has shared that he actually met up with Isak on occasion, sharing what life was like for him away from the club.
“Many people wanted to see Alex stay (at Newcastle) but you understand how football works – I wish him all the best in the future,” he told Sportsbladet.
“For me, Alex is not just a football player, but a close friend as well.
“As Anthony (Elanga) said, it’s been very chill (in the Newcastle dressing room). No one has said or done anything. It’s just taken out of the air (by the media), you understand his and the club’s situation.
“Of course, you would have wanted to keep him, he’s an incredibly good footballer. We were in contact often and talked on the phone. We also met. It’s clear that it was tough times for him but he’s also mentally strong.
“It’s clear that it was hard for him, but he got through it. Of course, there are days when he has felt a little worse, but overall it has been pretty okay, as I understand it.
“In some ways it’s nice that this merry-go-round is over so that he can focus on his own and the club can focus and move forward. You understand both sides, the (Newcastle United) fans’ frustration and wanting to keep your best player. And you understand Alex, that he might want to take the next step.”
Alexander Isak could play with Emil Krafth in Sweden’s next game
Isak was an unused substitute as Sweden were held to a 2-2 draw against Slovenia on Friday night. Elanga impressed Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg after scoring in the opening 20 minutes of the clash, though he was taken off after around 60 minutes.
Elanga played as a striker for Sweden, effectively taking Isak’s place in the starting XI. However, Jon Dahl Tomasson could opt to play them together when they visit Kosovo on Monday evening.
Krafth, who was also an unused substitute, may be given the nod by former Newcastle striker Tomasson against Kosovo.
Tomasson said Isak was not ready to play against Slovenia, as the Swede had only played in three training sessions following his move to Liverpool.