Alexander Isak is desperate to leave Newcastle and has refused to play for the club again, while he has previously been a target for several Premier League clubs
14:38, 13 Aug 2025Updated 14:38, 13 Aug 2025
Alexander Isak playing for Newcastle United
Alexander Isak was a target for other Premier League clubs before his move to Newcastle United in 2022(Image: Harriet Massey/Getty Images)
Alexander Isak and Newcastle United have hit a bitter impasse as the star forward pushes for a move to Liverpool.
The 25-year-old made his intentions clear last month when he informed the Magpies of his desire to leave. After Liverpool's £110million bid was rejected, neither side has shown any signs of backing down. Eddie Howe's team insists that the forward is not for sale, while the player has reportedly refused to play for the club again.
Isak has taken the Premier League by storm during his time at Newcastle, ending last season with 23 league goals. It's no surprise that Liverpool want him, but his career trajectory may have been different had he left former club Real Sociedad for another Premier League giant three years ago. Here is a look at all those interested in Isak before his move to Newcastle and why a deal never happened.
Manchester City's preference for Erling Haaland
After catching Borussia Dortmund's attention while playing in his native Sweden, Isak signed for the German side but moved to Spain in 2019 after struggling for game time. With Sociedad, he became one of La Liga's most sought-after strikers, attracting interest from many top clubs.
One of those interested parties was Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. In 2024, years after Isak had signed for Newcastle, Guardiola admitted: "At Real Sociedad, we started to follow him, we were impressed. He was a target. With his skills, all the clubs around the world take a look. I think he adapted really, really well in the Premier League."
However, City did not pursue Isak as their top target was Erling Haaland, whose arrival prompted Guardiola to sign a new contract in late 2022. The club met the £51million release clause in Haaland's Dortmund contract, and he has since become a two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner, netting 85 league goals compared to Isak's 54, who arrived in England the same summer.
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Erling Haaland poses after signing for Manchester City
Manchester City opted to sign Erling Haaland over Alexander Isak in 2022(Image: Matt McNulty - Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
Manchester United's 'tempting' Alexander Isak proposal
City weren't the only Manchester club to be smitten with Isak, as local rivals Manchester United were said to have tabled a 'juicy offer' to the Swede that summer.
Mundo Deportivo claimed that before Isak sealed his £63million switch to Newcastle, the Red Devils – then under Erik ten Hag's guidance – had made contact with his representatives, who convinced the striker to reject their advances.
Sociedad never received a formal bid from United for Isak. Instead, Ten Hag began his United tenure with Cristiano Ronaldo spearheading the attack, though that would only last until November.
Alexander Isak and William Saliba
Alexander Isak was previously on Arsenal's transfer radar(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Arsenal's release clause regret
Arsenal were yet another club that had Isak on their radar before he signed for the Magpies and they perhaps came the closest to securing his signature. The Gunners sought to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front and saw Isak as the ideal recruit.
However, when approaching him in January 2022, they encountered issues regarding the Swede's price tag. Mikel Arteta's side tabled an informal £56m offer, which was far lower than Sociedad's estimations, as they were sticking to Isak's £74.7m release clause.
The Athletic reported that this fee was too much for Arsenal, who saw him as 'overpriced', and Isak ended up at St. James' Park the following summer while continuing to be monitored by the Gunners.
A fee of £75m would now be considered a bargain for Isak, who is thought to be valued at £150m by Newcastle.
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