Alexander Isak's public plan to leave Newcastle last year was the transfer story of the summer and the Magpies are eager to avoid a repeat with one of their current players
Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter
16:51, 21 Feb 2026
Alexander Isak during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield.
Alexander Isak's transfer saga last year dominated headlines(Image: Getty Images)
A repeat of Alexander Isak's acrimonious transfer saga to Liverpool last summer is a saga Newcastle United are hoping to avoid.
The Swede had aimed to leave St James' Park following the end of the 2025/26 season with the Reds making it clear they wanted to sign the striker after scoring a career-best 23 goals in the Premier League.
With Newcastle holding strong regarding their prized asset by rejecting a $148 million offer from the reigning league champions, Isak spoke out on social media for the first time that summer via a bombshell statement on Instagram. The 26-year-old claimed that the club had given him false promises and suggested it'd be in the best interests of himself and the club if they parted ways in order to end the several months-long chronicle.
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His departure was eventually greenlit on transfer deadline day with Liverpool paying a British record fee of $169 million to secure his signature. Despite earning an exorbitant fee for the striker, the seemingly never-ending continuation of the saga affected the club's transfer plans when it came to replacing Isak.
With that in mind, the Magpies have been on the ball regarding the future of Tino Livramento who has been subject of interest from Manchester City. The 23-year-old's contract ends in 2028 but plans to extend his deal are already reportedly underway.
Currently out of action due to injury, rumours of renewed interest from City have begun. CEO David Hopkinson was appointed his role prior to Isak's exit and upon learning of the intricacies of the Swede's situation, he's said to have done his own research on player departures and what Newcastle can do in order to stop it occurring again.
Alexander Isak limps off from Liverpool's 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on December 20, 2025
Alexander Isak last played for Liverpool in their 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in December(Image: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
Despite the fanfare of his signing last September, Isak has struggled with fitness and injury which has hampered his debut season in Merseyside. With just three goals in 16 games for the Reds, he's been out of action since December after suffering a fibula fracture in his ankle in a 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur.
Discussing his rehab progression, Arne Slot announced the timeframe of Isak's return to action but urged caution given his previous fitness issues this season. "It will be somewhere around there and then it’s always the question if things go really well or if he gets a little bit of a setback," the Dutchman said.
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Alexander Isak looking ahead
The 26-year-old has scored just three goals this season(Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
"It will be somewhere around there and then it’s always the question if things go really well or if he gets a little bit of a setback. So, it will be around that period of time – end of March, start of April when he’s hopefully back with the group.
"When you’re back with the group it’s not to say that you are ready to play, let alone start, a game of football because, again, he’s been out for months and the last time he’s been out for months I think we could all see that it took him a while before he was the player we have signed from Newcastle."