Alexander Isak has been linked with a move to Liverpool after he was left out of Newcastle's squad for their goalless draw at Aston Villa on Saturday, and things could get worse for him
13:27, 19 Aug 2025
Alexander Isak steps off a plane
Alexander Isak is yet to complete a transfer to Liverpool(Image: Serena Taylor, Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Alexander Isak will be "fuming" with Liverpool for not securing a big-money transfer, as the Newcastle United forward's future hangs in the balance.
The unsettled Magpies' star was absent from their Premier League opener against Aston Villa on Saturday, further fuelling rumours of his desire to move to Anfield. The 25-year-old has been training away from the first team after opting out of the club's pre-season tour of Asia.
Isak has also reportedly claimed he won't play for Newcastle again, although manager Eddie Howe hasn't ruled out a potential return to the squad. Liverpool's initial £110million bid for the player was promptly turned down and they are yet to return with a better offer.
It's believed that Newcastle are keen to secure new forwards before considering letting Isak go. Isak has also faced backlash from the club's supporters over his attempts to force a move, with fans seemingly directing a chant of "there's only one greedy b******" at him during Saturday's goalless draw at Villa Park.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster believes Liverpool share some responsibility for the tense situation. The ex-Wrexham keeper has suggested that the current Premier League champions may have played a part in encouraging Isak to stir up trouble through his agent.
Foster also argued that Isak's handling of the situation has left Liverpool as his only option, having burnt his bridges in Tyneside, reports the Mirror. On the Fozcast podcast, Foster said: "He has to go to Liverpool, because I think that's probably the only team that will have him now.
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"Isak's going to be fuming as well, because guaranteed that somebody from Liverpool has got in touch with his agent and gone, 'We want you here, hand in a transfer request or kick up a fuss and we'll sign you.'
Alexander Isak looks on
Alexander Isak didn't play against Aston Villa(Image: Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images)
"But they still haven't signed him. I think he just needs to take accountability for it all and he needs to come out with a statement. He needs to be open and honest with people.
"Liverpool are also aware that he's finished at Newcastle. They're not really going to be willing to up their offer any more."
In Isak's absence against Villa, Anthony Gordon filled in as a false nine, but Newcastle failed to find the back of the net. The Magpies could still bolster their attacking options before the transfer window slams shut, with Brentford's Yoane Wissa reportedly on their shortlist.
Newcastle fans during Saturday's match at Villa Park
Newcastle fans chanted during Saturday's match at Villa Park(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
Foster believes that the backlash from Newcastle fans towards Isak will push the move over the line, describing the situation as "horrible" as he urged for a swift resolution. He added: "Newcastle fans are different.
"This is in their blood and he's besmirched them. He's in the mud, he's done and he cannot play for Newcastle ever again, but he's got the required result.
"The club has seen that [fans chanting] at the end of the game and gone, 'We just need to get him sold.' It's a horrible way to go about it, but that's modern day football and it's the way that they go."
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