Alexander Isak has been told to train alone and at separate times to his Newcastle United teammates, GIVEMESPORT understands.
The Swedish striker is pushing for a move to Liverpool and chose not to travel for Newcastle's pre-season tour of Asia. Despite club sources putting this down to a minor thigh injury, it was Isak's choice to remain at home.
Isak subsequently travelled to the Basque Country where he trained with his personal fitness team at former club Real Sociedad.
Liverpool Move for Isak Cannot be Discounted
Tension is building between Newcastle and the player
Isak
Liverpool bid £110m to try and secure his signature in July, but this was rejected instantly by Newcastle and the Reds now won't return unless given encouragement by Newcastle. However, this isn't the same as walking away, and as tension builds between Isak and Newcastle, a Liverpool move clearly can't be discounted.
Had Newcastle secured Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, it would have opened the door for Isak to exit to Anfield and potentially quite quickly, but Liverpool still remain relaxed about the situation. The Premier League champions are ready to wait and see whether Newcastle add other attackers. Nicolas Jackson, Oliie Watkins, Lois Openda and Yoane Wissa are all on the Magpies' radar.
Wissa wants the move to St James' Park and, like Isak, is pushing to exit Brentford as soon as possible. Initial talks have also taken place between Newcastle and Chelsea for Jackson, who is looking likely to depart this summer.
Nicolas Jackson's Premier League statistics for Chelsea this season
Isak returned to Newcastle's training ground on Monday and has since held meetings with the club's hierarchy, including manager Eddie Howe.
GMS has been told that Howe drove the decision to have Isak train alone on Wednesday, informing him directly of his decision. The story was first reported by Newcastle World.
The move is consistent with Howe's comments in Seoul, where he made it clear no player can simply return to the group having pushed for a transfer away.
"You have to earn the right to train with us," said Howe. "We are Newcastle United. [Isak] has a responsibility to be part of a team here, and part of our squad. You have to act in the right way. So that is also at play here.
We will make sure that any player has to earn the right to train with this group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal.
Newcastle Unlikely to Keep Isak on Existing Terms
Striker has made it clear 'privately' he wants to join Liverpool
Alexander Isak in action for Newcastle United
Prior to this summer's transfer window opening, Newcastle felt in control of Isak's future, especially after qualifying for the Champions League. Isak is well compensated and contracted until 2028. There was even optimism within the club that even without a new deal, the 25-year-old might be content to stay.
This has proven misplaced confidence, and there is surprise among senior Newcastle figures at just how aggressively Isak has tried to leave. Isak has made it clear to Newcastle privately he wants to join Liverpool, and remains disappointed recently-departed sporting director Paul Mitchell did not offer him an improved contract 12 months ago. Had one been agreed in the summer of 2024, Newcastle might not be facing this challenge now but at the time, Isak had four years left on his contract and was already well paid, and Newcastle were facing PSR challenges. The club were not able to match Isak's £300,000-a-week wage request.
Newcastle insiders now state the idea of simply keeping hold of Isak on his existing terms is unlikely due to the friction that would create between player and club. There are fears within Newcastle that Isak could simply refuse to play in Premier League games in August, although beyond the window this would likely not continue in a World Cup year.
Newcastle feel they either need to find a replacement, and potentially even two, then sanction an Isak exit, with Liverpool prepared to bid if offered encouragement, or at the opposite extreme find a way to persuade the Swede to sign a new contract.
Alexander Isak's statistics for Newcastle United this season
As it stands, those close to the player say he would only consider improved terms if he was allowed to leave in 12 months and if Liverpool first made it clear a deal now was not feasible. Liverpool are prepared to pay a British transfer fee this month, but it is not clear whether they would go as high as the £150m valuation some Newcastle insiders quote.
With Darwin Nunez close to joining Al-Hilal, Liverpool may yet decide to go higher than the £120m figure quoted to Newcastle before their first bid, which fell short of that number. There is certainly intent from Liverpool to sign another attacker before the window shuts, and this has been the case since Luis Diaz departed for Bayern. Ultimately, Liverpool's plan has always been to try and land Isak in addition to Hugo Ekitike. Suggestions that their bid was simply an attempt to unsettle Isak are wide of the mark. Isak was already unsettled long before Liverpool placed their offer, and it was done with a genuine willingness to buy which still remains.Having now seemingly lost the race for Sesko, presuming Manchester United finalise an agreement with Leipzig, Newcastle are expected to move fast to add further reinforcements. Co-owner Jamie Reuben is heavily involved, along with trusted recruitment experts Andy Howe and Steve Nickson.
But if Isak is to get his dream Liverpool move, it will largely come down to Yasir Al-Rumayyan. Newcastle's Saudi Arabian chair will ultimately decide whether to sanction a sale, and likely be the person to reach out directly to Liverpool to indicate that a fresh bid is welcomed. Liverpool are ready, providing Newcastle open the door.
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All statistics according to Transfermarkt - correct as of 06-08-25.