Alexander Isak's potential blockbuster move to Liverpool is set to dominate the rest of the summer transfer window - but how did his relationship with Newcastle unravel to bring us here?
Alexander Isak with Eddie Howe
Alexander Isak's Newcastle future is hanging by a thread(Image: Getty Images)
It hasn't taken Alexander Isak long to fall from hero to zero in Newcastle circles. The Swedish striker is at the epicentre of an increasingly bitter tug-of-war between the Magpies and Liverpool, with a seismic £150million transfer hanging in the balance.
Once adored as the crown jewel of St James' Park, Isak's bond with the Geordie faithful has been shattered into a million jagged pieces amid reports he's refusing to play for the club again - even if a transfer away fails to materialise. But how exactly did it come to this?
Just weeks ago, Isak was king of the North East - a Swedish sorcerer who combined grace with power, effortlessly gliding past defenders before unleashing with his thunderbolt of a right boot. Interest from elsewhere was inevitable, but with three years remaining on his contract and a daunting £150m price tag designed to deter all but the boldest of suitors, keeping Isak at Newcastle this summer looked a formality - initially, at least.
Liverpool's relentless pursuit changed everything. Despite Newcastle's repeated refusals, the Reds have remained unwavering in their mission, even after spending big on Hugo Ekitike. They want Isak - and are refusing to retreat despite Newcastle's position and swift rejection of their £110m bid earlier this summer.
Isak wants Liverpool, but with Newcastle holding significant negotiating leverage, he's been pushed to drastic measures. With the transfer window slamming shut on September 1, the standoff has plunged the Magpies into total chaos, their pre-season preparations in tatters and fans reeling from the betrayal of a player they once worshipped.
Isak's refusal to reintegrate could signal the beginning of the end of an explosive saga bubbling with broken promises, bruised egos, and big-money bids. Here, Mirror Football takes a look back at how this ugly, volatile drama all started and has unfolded...
The broken promise: Summer 2024
Alexander Isak
Isak was promised a new contract with improved terms, but the offer was withdrawn
It all began with a spark of ambition in the corridors of St James' Park. In March 2024, Newcastle's then-co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi sat down with Isak and his representatives, painting a picture of a glittering future.
After establishing himself as one of the most potent strikers on the planet, Isak was assured that improved contract terms were on the horizon - a reward for his early promise and a sign of the club's intent to build around him. But that dream soon soured. By July, Staveley and Ghodoussi had been ousted, ushering in a new regime under sporting director Paul Mitchell.
Mitchell, eyeing Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) with a hawk's gaze, slammed the brakes on any new deal. Isak's existing contract, running until 2028 and already making him one of the club's top earners at around £150,000-a-week, was deemed sufficient - no need for upgrades, no room for negotiation.
The Swede was left seething, feeling underappreciated in a squad where loyalty seemed negotiable. Whispers of unrest began to echo, as Isak pondered whether Newcastle's ambitions truly matched his own.
Betrayal in black and white: October 2024
Isak began the 2024/2025 campaign in disappointing form, scoring just once in seven matches. More concerning than the stats was his body language - at times tense and withdrawn - hinting at frustrations beyond mere goal droughts. He felt undervalued by the club, a simmering discontent that turned to resentment when Newcastle handed someone else what he'd long been promised.
In October, Anthony Gordon signed a lucrative long-term extension, bumping up his wages and tying him to the Toon until 2030. For Isak, it felt like a slap in the face.
Liverpool had been circling Gordon for months, and Newcastle's desire to lock him down was no secret. Even so, the announcement landed with a thud in Isak's camp - an unmistakable signal, at least in their eyes, about where the club's priorities lay.
Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak chatting on the pitch
Isak was left furious when Newcastle didn't hand him an improved contract, like they did with Anthony Gordon
Glory and grievances: Spring 2025
Isak eventually channelled his frustration into firepower. He ended the 2024/25 season with 27 goals in all competitions, including a decisive strike in the Carabao Cup final triumph over Liverpool - a 2-1 win that ended Newcastle's 70-year domestic trophy drought and etched his name in Magpies folklore. But underneath the surface, the cracks were widening.
As the season wore on, Newcastle's resolve thawed. A bumper contract - one that would have made Isak one of the Premier League's top earners - was prepared. But by this point, the Swede was already weighing up his options amid whispers of Liverpool interest.
Later on in early summer, it emerged that Isak wanted £300,000 a week to entertain signing a new deal, but Newcastle could only afford to offer him £200,000 - an increase of at least £50,000 on his current deal. However, at this stage, Liverpool's interest in him had ramped up, and Isak started to seriously question his future at the club. The new contract was never tabled, and negotiations have been stalled ever since.
Pre-season powder keg: July 2025
Fast-forward to the summer of 2025, and the simmering tension finally caught fire. Last month, Isak was conspicuously absent from Newcastle's pre-season tour squad to Asia, officially sidelined by a "minor thigh injury". The real reason, however, soon emerged as Isak made his stance clear by 'refusing' to join the tour.
Alexander Isak playing for Newcastle United
The striker refused to join Newcastle's pre-season tour as he pushed for an exit
Liverpool had identified Isak as their top striker target of the summer. When told he wasn't for sale, they turned their attention to Ekitike - who, at the time, was in advanced talks to join Newcastle. That's when Liverpool delivered an ultimatum: sell us Isak, or we'll hijack your move for Ekitike.
Newcastle stood firm, unwilling to be strong-armed. But days later, the tables turned. Ekitike signed for Liverpool, and almost immediately, Isak informed Newcastle he wanted to "explore his options" - the polite way of saying: let me join Liverpool.
Newcastle were left in disarray. Losing out on Ekitike stung, especially after missing out on Liam Delap and Joao Pedro earlier in the window, leaving them without a clear replacement for Isak. With their star striker sidelined, the squad jetted off to Asia. Meanwhile, Isak's bold new stance lit a fire under Liverpool.
Exile and escalation: August 2025
On August 1, Liverpool made their opening move with a £110m bid for Isak, rising to £120m with add-ons. Despite mounting pressure, Newcastle held firm: £150m or nothing.
Liverpool then signalled they wouldn't return with an improved offer unless the Magpies softened their stance - putting the ball squarely in Isak's court. Meanwhile, the striker trained alone, frozen out of the senior squad amid whispers that his attempts to force a move had alienated several team-mates. Pictures of the Swede have also been taken down from the club shop, while Adidas staff told Chronicle Live that during the club's trip to South Korea, jersey sales with Isak's name and number dropped dramatically.
Alexander Isak
The Swede has been training alone and is now adamant he won't play for Newcastle again
Toon boss Eddie Howe even barred Isak from attending a family barbecue at the club's training ground last week, fully aware of the volatile atmosphere swirling around the striker. He also admitted that Isak was unlikely to feature in Newcastle's Premier League opener against Aston Villa, though he insisted the door remained open for a return.
With Newcastle unwilling to lower their valuation and Liverpool unwilling to raise theirs, the saga seemed destined to stall. Then came reports that Isak was ready to reintegrate and even commit to a new contract if a transfer fell through - only for a fresh bombshell to emerge, seemingly dashing any hope of a truce.
Nuclear fallout: August 2025
On Tuesday, The Athletic reported that Isak is resolute: he has no intention of returning to Newcastle and is "adamant" he has played his final game for the club. The striker is so firm in his stance that he's prepared to refuse to play even if Newcastle decide not to to sell him.
From Isak's perspective, the trust broke down when Newcastle reneged on their promise of a lucrative new contract. He made it clear that the 2024/25 season would be his last at St James' Park - though some at Newcastle dispute this.
According to The Times, Isak has already moved out of his Northumberland home, which has since been put back on the rental market - an unmistakable signal of his determination to force a departure.
As the transfer deadline hurtles toward its inexorable close like a freight train through the fog, Isak's insurrection stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of footballing love affairs, where yesterday's idol can become tomorrow's exile in the blink of an eye.
Whether Newcastle capitulate or Liverpool walk away, this saga's radioactive fallout promises to haunt St James' Park for seasons to come, a cautionary tale of promises broken and ambitions unbound.
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