· 14 August 2025, 18:30
**Newcastle United and Alexander Isak remain in a stand-off, with the striker refusing to train and play with the squad while Newcastle refuse to sanction his move to Liverpool.**
Liverpool no longer has an offer on the table, but it is expected that should Newcastle manage to sign a replacement this summer, they will open negotiations with the Premier League champions over a move which is likely to break the British transfer record, which Liverpool holds already after their £116 million acquisition of Florian Wirtz this summer.
With that hope still on the horizon, Isak is being instructed by his team not to back down and not to train with Newcastle, as it could be interpreted as a sign that his stance is softening and he'd be willing to stay.
The fear there, from Isak's team, is that Newcastle would cool their attempts to sign a replacement and ultimately ruin any chance of Isak leaving this summer.
> [](https://twitter.com/CraigHope_DM/status/1956023774664351846)
Craig Hope confirms Isak is on strike and is set to be fined by the club
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Craig Hope has reported in his [Newcastle Confidential column for the Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-15000911/Alexander-Isak-strike-Newcastle-United-Craig-Hope-Liverpool-transfers.html) that, despite everything he's done, Isak has not been fined by the club yet.
However, that is likely to change this weekend as the club will fine him if he refuses to play a competitive match, which will happen on Saturday. At this point, even if Isak made himself available, he wouldn't be match fit and wouldn't be selected.
Isak is still happy to scoop up his £140,000-a-week wages for doing nothing, so it's high time Newcastle started to fine him a week's wages every time he misses a game.
Isak could yet be forced to stay at Newcastle
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Hope presents a few scenarios as to what may happen with Isak now from Newcastle, bringing in a replacement and allowing Isak to leave, to them letting him go but only signing one striker, likely Yoane Wissa and toughing it out until January.
However, the one hope Hope thinks is most likely now is that Isak stays against his wishes, and Newcastle hope that once the transfer window closes, they can convince him to return to action.
We had suggested something along those lines with ISak committing to another year with the club and taking a pay rise as part of the deal, but now, that improved contract shouldn't even be in the conversation. If he is to stay, he stays on his current terms and just has to deal with that paltry £140,000-a-week. I don't know how he's going to live on such meagre wages, but he'll have to make it work.