Newcastle United continue to insist Alexander Isak isn’t going anywhere this summer despite ongoing interest from Liverpool but reports suggest that could come as a price.
Isak is desperate to leave Newcastle, who have rejected an offer from Liverpool.
Liverpool could make a second bid for Isak and it remains to be seen what actually happens if they move close to Newcastle’s £150million valuation of the striker.
For many, Newcastle’s stance may be seen as admirable. They have so far proven they cannot be bullied into selling a player who still has three years on his contract and seemingly hasn’t even handed in a transfer request.
Still, a recent report from The Daily Mirror suggests there could be some backlash to it.
Alexander Isak plays for Newcastle United in a friendly.
Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images
Top agents fear for Newcastle United
They suggest that playing hardball over Isak could actually be detrimental to Newcastle.
Indeed, the report claims that “top agents” fear that keeping a clearly unhappy player could put off other players from signing for the club going forward, leading to a potential “backlash”.
It adds that players such as Isak want to know that they can eventually move to one of the better-established elite teams should they perform well.
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Frankly, that feels like a generous reading of the situation in Isak’s favour.
Alexander Isak will not be held against his will at Newcastle United
That’s because Newcastle are prepared to let Isak leave in 2026.
All they want is one more season from him, having planned to have him in the squad for the 2025/26 campaign.
What, really, are the club supposed to do? Simply roll over and let Isak decide when he is sold and exactly who to?
Keeping Isak is a high-risk strategy, there’s little doubt about that. If Newcastle fans ever see him pull on the black and white shirt again, things could get incredibly awkward.
But to suggest Newcastle are putting players off feels strange. Isak is the one who has tried to force the club into a corner and it’s not as if Liverpool have come anywhere close to his valuation. They are hardly keeping him prisoner, and would let him move on next year.