The Newcastle United dressing room is reportedly 'divided' following Alexander Isak's explosive statement regarding his desire to transfer. The Swedish forward has been vocal about his wish to leave the club throughout the summer, and is eager to secure a move to Premier League champions Liverpool.
Newcastle United have stood their ground on his future, asserting that they will only consider selling if their conditions are met. Isak has escalated his efforts to exit St James' Park in recent days, criticising 'broken promises' in a scathing statement.
This has seemingly not been well-received within the Newcastle United dressing room. As per Mail Online, while team spirit remains high among the players, there is a clear divide when it comes to their star striker.
There are those who back Isak's position - but perhaps more importantly, there are those who do not. Isak, 25, continues to train separately from his team-mates after opting out of joining the club on their pre-season tour to Asia.
Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes responded cryptically to Isak's statement. Shortly after the forward posted on Instagram, the Brazilian midfielder shared a photo of himself proudly donning a Newcastle shirt.
Guimaraes had previously been at the centre of his own transfer rumours but pledged his loyalty to the club by signing a new five-year contract earlier this year. Meanwhile, forward Anthony Gordon has also weighed in on the situation.
Following Newcastle's opening day draw with Aston Villa, he insisted that the team spirit was still intact. He stated: "It has been difficult because we're such a tight-knit group. We've never really had any problems publicly and that being the first thing that has happened has tested us.
"But you see today, we still have that spirit and that togetherness. We work on it every day. That is never going to go regardless of individuals. We're a top group, our togetherness is top and it always will be."
"It can do [bring the group closer together] but we're still together anyway. Things like things can sort of us test you and make you better in the end - and I think that is going to be the case."
Isak, who has three years left on his contract at St James' Park, seemed to hint that he would never play for the club again. "I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken," his statement read.
"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."
Following the bombshell announcement on Tuesday evening, Newcastle have reinforced their determination to retain the player, who assisted in ending the club's lengthy trophy drought.
In a statement released in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Newcastle declared: "We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening.
"We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.
"We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views. As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired.
"We do not foresee those conditions being met. This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates."
Liverpool, on the other hand, have remained resolute in their pursuit of the player and are reportedly preparing a record-breaking British transfer bid to challenge their Premier League rivals once more.