Leeds United face Newcastle United later this month at home, but there are huge question marks over whether star striker Alexander Isak will ever play for the club again.
Leeds are off and running in their pursuit of finishing 17th or higher this season, seeing off Everton with a late 1-0 win on Monday night.
Up next is a trip to Arsenal before returning to West Yorkshire to host Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United, who have had a summer to forget thus far.
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Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak releases explosive statement of broken promises amidst desire to join Liverpool
Perhaps the saga of the summer thus far has been what is happening with Newcastle and their star striker Alexander Isak.
The Swede has gone from a cult hero on Tyneside to a zero in the space of a month with his refusal to play or train amidst interest from Liverpool, with Arne Slot’s reigning champions recently bidding £110million for the striker, just shy of Florian Wirtz’s British record £116million sum.
(Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge)
Having sat out of their opening stalemate against Aston Villa, Isak has now shared a stunning new statement on Instagram, indicating that promises have been broken by his club as he looks to seal a move to Anfield:
“I’m proud to be recognised by my fellow professionals with a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the season for 2024-25. First and foremost I want to thank my teammates and everyone at Newcastle United who has supported me along the way. I’m not at the ceremony tonight. With everything going on, it didn’t feel right to be there.
“I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn’t reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.
“The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading. When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue. That’s where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.”
Given Isak’s now publicly explosive comments on his current employers, it appears as though his reintegration into the Magpies lineup is going to be a drawn-out process, and therefore it’s highly unlikely he’ll feature when they travel down the A1(M) to Elland Road, if he ever does return to Howe’s lineup.
While that would be an ideal boost for Leeds if Isak is leaving St James’ Park, it would then tee up two meetings with one of the world’s best strikers in the same month, as United face Liverpool twice in December.
Alexander Isak burning his bridges is a boost for Leeds United this month
Given that we’re already off to a good start in the quest for survival, getting another positive result in our next two games would be huge.
Arsenal away is a daunting fixture and one that very few Leeds fans would be expecting any points back from, but a home clash against a Magpies side that have been in disarray this summer is an opportunity.
They have managed three major signings in Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey, but their striker situation is dire, missing out on several targets while their main man goes on strike to push through his exit.
If ever there was a time to play this Newcastle team at Elland Road, the sooner it is, the better.
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