The Newcastle United striker has been told to show my loyalty to the club after asking to leave this summer
Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak's future remains up in the air
Oh to be a fly on the wall when Eddie Howe sits down with Alexander Isak this week.
The Swedish striker is back at Newcastle United after missing the pre-season trip to the Far East and will have face-to-face talks with the Magpies head coach following his decision to push for a transfer exit.
Howe has maintained a dignified stance on the situation, but will no doubt demand answers over Isak's future intentions - while laying down the law on what he expects from his striker while he remains a Newcastle player.
It's a situation no manager wants to face, but one that is not uncommon. Newcastle benefited from a similar scenario when signing Anthony Gordon but there is still a sense of frustration over the timing of Isak's decision.
Liverpool are yet to return with a second bid, while United are actively pursuing as big-name striker replacement, with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko high on their wishlist.
Veteran manager Tony Pulis has watched events unfolding on Tyneside in recent weeks and has huge sympathy for Howe's predicament - and insists players should show more loyalty to clubs, especially when they have done so much to advance their careers.
"The movement of players and the amount of money that people are paying for players now, it's very, very difficult at times for myself to get my head around the prices that are being paid for these players," Pulis told sports betting site BetVictor.
"But the secret of it, and Newcastle know as well as other clubs, is to have the next one lined up ready to go. Alexander Isak had such a great season last year, he was, by far, the most potent striker in the Premier League.
"At Newcastle, which is a massive, massive club, you're still going to get teams that he will see, and his agent will see, as bigger than Newcastle. The money will be enormous and everything else and the pull will be there for him to want to leave.
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United with Eddie Howe the head coach / manager of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at St James' Park on February 23, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Eddie Howe will hold talks with Alexander Isak(Image: Getty Images)
"So the secret is you either knuckle it down and say, no, you're not going because you have three years on his contract. You're going to see at least another season out.
"That gives us your chance then to bring someone else in to replace him. Or you keep him for one more season with European fixtures to come, which will be absolutely fantastic for Newcastle United.
"I'm disappointed again for Eddie Howe that the kid has come in, done so well, they've reached a level which other clubs have reached. There's loads of clubs who haven't ever reached Champions League football.
"They're there, they've got the opportunity, the players have got the opportunity to experience it with an unbelievable football club, with unbelievable supporters.
"It just rocks my mind at times why these kids see it differently. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence. He's another one that I would be very, very, very strong with and try to keep.
"Because once the deadline closes, once August finishes and the deadline closes, the kid then has an option. He either plays or he hangs around without playing and does himself no favors whatsoever."
Pulis is no stranger to dealing with player power, having had to cope with Saido Berahino's desire to leave West Bromwich Albion in 2015 - a situation which should serve as a warning for Isak.
Tony Pulis sends Saido Berahino on as an early substitute for West Bromwich Albion at Burnley
Tony Pulis and Saido Berahino at West Bromwich Albion
"We had a situation similar to Alexander Isak with Saido Berahino at West Brom," Pulis added.
"He was linked to Tottenham and that was left obviously to Jeremy Peace and to Daniel Levy. Jeremy was adamant that the boy wasn't going to go. And unfortunately, Saido downed tools and played all these games that the lads play.
"When it all died down and it finished, he came back and his mind was miles away from where he was. He has looked an absolute outstanding talent and that episode curtailed what was a very, very promising career for Saido.
"So I've sat there and experienced it. You talk to him, you try to tell him what you think, but in the end they've got other people blowing in their ears. Some of them have got more than one agent and one person who were involved.
"It's all to do with the people behind the scenes making money. You know, they're desperate for the kid to move. They're desperate for the fella to move on. But, this will continue to happen.
"As a manager, as an owner, it's just about doing the right thing for the football club and if you feel as though you've lost him or whatever and the money is just extraordinarily high for the player, you have a decision to make.
"It's the same with Yoane Wissa at Brentford. But these players have got to understand, where were they before the clubs took them? What were they doing before these clubs took them? And how well have they done within the structure of the football club?
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"They have a responsibility and should have loyalty towards their club as well. It frustrates me, it really does, that you can get people pushing them out and pushing them out and pushing them out.
"Are they pushing them out for better reasons or are they pushing them out because financially they personally will benefit. I think the lads have got to understand and realize that the clubs that they're with, the clubs they're playing for, have given them so much.
"They've made them better players. They've pushed them forward and given them the opportunity and the chance to show their talents. I know Eddie Howe has looked after Isak, I'm sure he would have protected him when he needed protecting.
"I'm sure the club would have given them most of the things they've ever wanted and maybe that should mean he stays for another season.
"He could say, one day I want to move on, but it's not going to be tomorrow when you haven't prepared anything, you haven't got anything sorted out.
"It is really difficult. But as I've said, I think the players have got to show a little bit more loyalty and they certainly need a wake-up call in respect of what the clubs have done for them, not what they've done for the football club.
"Don't forget the football clubs are paying them. They are not paying the football clubs, the football clubs are paying them and paying them an enormous amount of money and that little bit of loyalty would be good to see."