David Ornstein says there is 'a very good chance' that Alexander Isak will depart Newcastle United before the transfer deadline on 1 September, amid strong interest from Liverpool.
The Sweden international appears to have set his sights on a St James’ Park exit, and both he and his representatives reportedly consider the chapter at Newcastle 'closed'.
Isak’s preference remains to join Liverpool, who saw their opening £120m bid rejected, with Newcastle unwilling to sell the forward for anything below their reported £150m valuation.
Isak returned to Newcastle’s training ground this week after holding a personal training camp at his former club Real Sociedad, and was reportedly receiving treatment for a thigh issue that has limited his involvement in pre-season.
Alexander Isak Expected to Leave Newcastle
Before the transfer window shuts on 1 September
Alexander Isak in action for Newcastle United
Ornstein, speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, revealed there is a 'very good chance' Isak will depart Newcastle before the deadline, with Liverpool still his preferred destination:
“I think by the time the window shuts on the 1st of September, I think there's a very good chance Isak will have departed, and his preference is to join Liverpool.
“And Newcastle will, hopefully for them, find some really good quality replacements, use the money wisely and build another strong team, maybe an even stronger team and squad that can compete on all fronts next season.”
Ornstein also added that Isak’s camp considers the chapter at Newcastle 'closed', and the plan remains to leave this summer:
“I think Isak has, and his representatives have made it clear to Newcastle for some time that their plan is to leave, and I think the Newcastle chapter is closed for Isak, from what we're hearing.
“And so whether or not Newcastle had ideas for playing Ekitike and Isak alongside each other, I don't know how, how realistic that would have been if it came to fruition, that Ekitike had arrived.”
Liverpool have spent over £250m on six new arrivals this summer, with Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez among their most notable additions.
The Reds would need to break their transfer record once again if they hope to sign Isak, having splashed out £116m on Wirtz’s arrival from Bayer Leverkusen, surpassing Darwin Nunez’s £85m move from Benfica in 2022.
Liverpool are soon expected to boost their transfer budget with the sales of both Nunez and Harvey Elliott, with the latter now in talks to join RB Leipzig.
Alexander Isak's Newcastle Stats (2024/25 Premier League)
Games
Goals
Assists
Minutes per goal
Minutes played
Sign up toThe GIVEMESPORT Reportto get exclusive daily updates from Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs, Dean Jones and Tom Bogert sent straight to your inbox.
Statistics courtesy ofFbrefandTransfermarkt. Correct as of 0 7 -08-25.