Gary Neville has added to the media obsession of Alexander Isak leaving Newcastle United.
The 25-year-old is a man in demand, with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool constantly linked with buying Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever.
But the Magpies have other plans. Geordie Boot Boys have been told that Newcastle want to extend Isak’s contract, and are ready to make him their highest paid player ever.
Despite Newcastle’s plan to keep Isak, Gary Neville insists there will come a time when a bigger club snatches him away from St James’ Park.
READ MORE: Who is Alexander Isak? Age, Height, Family, Nationality, Roots
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Gary Neville makes Alexander Isak to Manchester United claim
Speaking on the Overlap US YouTube channel, Neville stated that Alexander Isak will eventually want to leave Newcastle United. He even suggested Manchester United as a possible destination…
“They are going to struggle to keep hold on to Isak,” he said.
“At some point he’s going to want to play somewhere else. That’s just unfortunately the nature of the beast.
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“The fact they haven’t won a trophy in 70 years is a reflection of Newcastle’s own problems in that period. You’ve got to take responsibility yourself. But also [how difficult it is] to break through and win trophies.”
Neville added: “I think they will lose players, unfortunately. The reality of it is that Newcastle are a great club, and we didn’t see that any more than on Sunday. But they will want to play for Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United, Bayern Munich of this world. It’s just natural that these players would want to play at those clubs at some point if they can.”
Alexander Isak snubbed Manchester United before Newcastle transfer
One club that Neville mentioned sticks out like a sore thumb.
If Isak has ambitions of winning the Champions League in his career, there will come a time that a move to someone like Real Madrid or Liverpool will appeal. Until Newcastle establish themselves in Europe’s elite competition, that is inevitable.
But Neville suggesting that a transfer to Manchester United would appeal to Isak is staggering.
While they have a rich history, their future is unclear. Manchester United are not the club they once were, and are nowhere near challenging for Premier League titles or Champions Leagues. If Isak wants to win those competitions, he would better off staying at St James’ Park than moving to Old Trafford.
In fact, Isak had the chance to join Man United before his move to Newcastle United, but turned it down.
Following his transfer to Newcastle from Real Sociedad in August 2022, it was reported by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo that Isak rejected the chance to join Manchester United.
They report that Man United made him a ‘lucrative’ contract offer, but he was advised to turn it down by his representatives.
Fast forward to 2025 and it is difficult to see why Isak would change his mind on playing for Manchester United.