For the first time on Tuesday, Liverpool transfer target Alexander Isak made it publicly clear that he wants to leave Newcastle United.
In his statement, Alexander Isak said that Newcastle had broken promises, and the striker concluded that his exit was now best for all parties.
Isak didn’t attend the PFA Awards where he won a spot in the Premier League Team of the Season, simply because ‘it didn’t feel right to be there’.
Understandably, Newcastle aren’t happy with Isak’s statement – the club weren’t shocked that the striker had now spoken publicly, but they didn’t agree with what he said.
But either way, it’s now in the open that the Sweden international wants to leave, and following Liverpool’s bid to sign Isak, it seems fairly safe to conclude that he wants to start a new chapter at Anfield.
Alexander Isak was wary of helping himself as well as Newcastle’s ambitions
That being said, Isak said two words during his first ever Newcastle interview that are now very poignant amid this messy saga.
Isak joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022, and when he did, he was asked about how he could grow with the club, in turn helping them realise their ambitions under Eddie Howe.
Alexander Isak scores during Liverpool vs Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup Final.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
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Isak had a strong reputation arriving from La Liga, but he wasn’t considered among the best strikers in the world by any means.
And whilst Isak made it clear that he thought the two could go hand in hand, he did say that he was arriving at St James’ Park to ‘help himself’, as well as helping the team reach its collective goal.
Towards the beginning of the chat, the interviewer asked: “Do you kind of feel that you can grow with the club and help it reach its goals and ambitions?”
Isak then replied: “Yeah sure, that’s why I’m here, to help myself, help the team. I think if I help myself, I will help the team.
“So that’s the main goal, together with the team to reach its goals and take this project forward.”
Liverpool move is now the best solution for Alexander Isak
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with Isak’s reply at all – he should definitely be thinking about his own career as well as helping Newcastle.
But those two words, ‘help myself’, seem pretty poignant amid his decision to seek an exit in such high-profile fashion.
Perhaps some Newcastle fans will disagree, but Isak has shown a certain bravery to stick up for himself, especially if he feels as if promises have been broken.
However, whether Isak needed to go public and put Newcastle is such an awkward position is another matter, and perhaps he has closed any opportunity to truly mend his relationship with club’s supporters going forward.
In this scenario, a move to Liverpool does seem best for Isak’s career, and in truth, it might also ultimately be best for Newcastle to simply cash in.
Given it’s such a high-profile saga, everyone will have an opinion on the matter, as they are entitled to as fans.
But in this situation, if Isak is going to ‘help himself’, he needs to keep pushing for a move to Liverpool, especially if he doesn’t see a way back at St James’ Park.