Alexander Isak is nominated for the Players' Player of the Year award, but it is claimed the Newcastle striker is set to snub the PFA awards gala amid transfer speculation
Alexander Isak pictured in 2025
Alexander Isak pictured in 2025(Image: PA)
Newcastle United's Alexander Isak is reportedly set to miss the PFA awards gala, despite being nominated for a top award. The Swedish international, who is in contention for the Player of the Year award, is expected to be absent due to uncertainty surrounding his future.
Isak has allegedly informed Newcastle that he has played his last game for the club, even though the Magpies have rejected a bid from Liverpool. A fresh offer from Liverpool could materialise before the transfer deadline, but Eddie Howe's team are keen to secure two new forwards before sanctioning any departure.
Isak is among six nominees for the Players' Player of the Year award, alongside Bruno Fernandes, Alexis Mac Allister, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice and Mohamed Salah. However, BBC Sport reports that with less than 24 hours to go until the ceremony on Tuesday night, Isak had not confirmed his attendance.
Last year, the prestigious award was won by Phil Foden at the Manchester-based ceremony. The England international had just helped Manchester City clinch the league title with a career-best 19 goals and accepted his award in person.
The BBC report suggests that previous winners and nominees have often left it late to confirm their attendance. However, unnamed sources cited by the broadcaster suggest that Isak does not plan to attend, reports the Mirror.
Isak's brilliant form last season made him one of the most sought-after players during the early part of the summer transfer window. The striker finished the campaign with 23 league goals and 27 across all competitions - both personal records - as he helped the Magpies secure Champions League qualification.
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Liverpool's opening offer, valued at up to £120m with add-ons included, was turned down by Newcastle. The forward continues to push for an exit, however, and was omitted from Eddie Howe's matchday squad for the Premier League curtain-raiser at Aston Villa.
"I hope it's resolved quickly, because it's news around us all the time," Howe told TNT Sports following the scoreless stalemate at Villa Park. "Players have managed to shut that out and perform. We have to continue to do that. We have to cope without the narrative against us."
Newcastle's upcoming fixture happens to be against Liverpool at St James' Park. The title holders didn't struggle for goals in their season opener, with new signing Hugo Ekitike finding the net in a 4-2 triumph over Bournemouth.
Ekitike was amongst the forwards on Newcastle's radar before his switch to Anfield, but the club have alternative targets as they brace for Isak's potential departure. Brentford's Yoane Wissa and Paris Saint-Germain's Goncalo Ramos are both under consideration, with either player potentially arriving on Tyneside before the transfer window closes on September 1.