The ECHO's dedicated Liverpool writers Paul Gorst and Ian Doyle have their say on Alexander Isak's future - and what happens next
Ian Doyle has covered Liverpool for more than 20 years, following them across Europe in multiple Champions League and Europa League finals and as far afield as Thailand, Singapore, the United States, Hong Kong and Qatar, and has reported on the Reds winning every major honour. He previously also covered Everton for 18 years and followed England, reporting on the European Championships and World Cup final. Once had to tell Jude Law he does not drive a Mini.
Alexander Isak plays during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Ipswich Town at St. James's Park on April 26, 2025
Alexander Isak wants to join Liverpool but Newcastle United are so far refusing to sell
(Image: Michael Driver | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
According to Liverpool transfer target Alexander Isak, a "change is in the best interests of everyone" when it comes to his association with Newcastle United. That was one of the salient points of the Sweden striker's social media message on Tuesday night when he spoke publicly for the first time since he refused to fly out on the pre-season tour of the Far East with the Magpies last month.
Premier League champions Liverpool had a £110m offer rejected by Newcastle at the beginning of the month and, having been blindsided by his Instagram message on Tuesday night, the North East club hurried out their own statement, essentially suggesting it is now unlikely he will be sold.
The Reds, for their part, will return to the table if given encouragement, but that is almost certain not to happen before Monday night's showdown between the teams at St James' Park.
Ahead of that game, the ECHO's dedicated Liverpool writers Ian Doyle and Paul Gorst have their say and give their verdict over what might happen next.
Paul Gorst
The end of an increasingly tawdry saga is now in sight, but what the final chapter of Alexander Isak's summer-long pursuit of the Newcastle United exit door actually is remains unclear.
What do we know so far is that Isak has refused to fly out on tour of the Far East with his colleagues citing a minor thigh issue; he has not played in any pre-season friendly as a result; and he has been training alone, ostracized from the pack while the speculation has dragged on.
In fairness to Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, who has been subjected to an avalanche of Isak-related questions from journalists this summer, he has handled the situation with diplomacy and professionalism.
The Magpies manager has been delicate with his messaging and been careful not to close the door on his star striker nor alienate the fans who have become fatigued by the behaviour of their wantaway frontman.
Quite who is calling the shots above him at this stage, though, remains something of a mystery for those who don't cover the club every day. With no sporting director in place, the lack of Saudi boots on the ground, as it were, in the North East of England suggests something of a power vacuum and that key decisions are being made in the Middle East, far away from the noise of this issue day to day.
The Newcastle owners - the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia - have reportedly make it clear they won't sanction the sale of Isak but that stance is taken in the hope that Howe and his team can use their powers of persuasion to eventually talk the Swede off the ledge, once the window has closed.
Certainly the September 1 transfer deadline will test Isak's theory that he will never play for the club again. Should he remain a Newcastle player then he faces the prospect of spending a lot of time on the golf course between then and January, when the window re-opens. Alternatively, there is the prospect of eventual reintegration, perhaps on the other side of the first international break?
Liverpool clearly need another forward and having identified the Magpies star as their new No.9 with a willingness to make him a British-record arrival, any alternative would be viewed as less-than, certainly among a fanbase who have been dreaming of Isak teaming up with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz for at least the last three weeks.
With that in mind, can the Reds afford not to sign Isak now? Or can they re-enter the talks with an improved offer that removes the theoretical talk and gives Newcastle a real decision to make?
History suggests the smart money is on the player getting his move, but the great unknown here is the Newcastle owners, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who aren't used to not getting what they wish. Right now their wish is for Isak to stay. A fascinating fortnight awaits.
Ian Doyle
Hands up if you are now supremely bored with the Alexander Isak situation at Newcastle United? That'll be everyone, then.
What's clear, though, is the Magpies are now very much in a position where they can't win. They're either about to lose their most prized asset, or instead be faced with reintegrating a disillusioned player who supporters have turned against.
Now, the fickle nature of football fans means that should Isak return and start banging in the goals, almost all will be forgiven.
But if Isak's statement is to be taken at face value, the player has lost trust in the club. And with the Newcastle owners having thus far seemingly called the shots during this dreary transfer tale, there isn't really any obvious way the relationship can be rebuilt. This is entirely on the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.
Of course, none of this is Liverpool's concern. What they would like is to sign Isak at a fair value which, in their view, is not the reputed £150masking price of Newcastle.
It's worth remembering that in the history of football, only one recognised striker has been transferred for more than the British record £110m the Reds had flatly turned down by the Toon Army at the start of the month. That player? A certain Kylian Mbappe.
Isak is going to leave Newcastle sooner rather than later. Even the most black-and-white Magpie will accept that. And if it isn't this summer, his value is only going to decrease for a myriad of reasons.
And a pertinent point would be that if Isak is truly valued as a £150m player, then why haven't Newcastle already ensured his wage reflects such a stature? The recent contract offers smack very much of coming after the horse has bolted.
This situation was never going to be resolved before Liverpool's visit to Newcastle on Monday - and how all the portents point to a home win on what is likely to be volatile evening - and could well go all the way down to the final hours before the September 1 deadline.
Those of a cynical, world-weary nature who have seen this all before will expect Isak to move to Liverpool. If not, it will probably be in January. Only Isak still being at Newcastle this time next year would be deemed a surprise - and by then the Reds would have trained their sights elsewhere.