Alexander Isak released a statement on his future at Newcastle United on Tuesday evening, but there was one key 'detail' he left out as his transfer saga with Liverpool rumbles on
Alexander Isak reacts on the pitch
(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Alexander Isak has left out a crucial detail in his explosive statement regarding his current situation at Newcastle United, as the drama surrounding his transfer continues. The forward took to Instagram on Tuesday evening to clarify his position with his current club.
In his harsh critique, Isak alleged that the Magpies had not kept promises made to him and that parting ways with Tyneside would be best for everyone involved. However, the 25 year old omitted one key detail explaining why Liverpool's attempts to sign him have been unsuccessful.
Speaking on his Rio Presents YouTube channel, ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand discussed Liverpool's initial offer of approximately £110million being turned down earlier this month. He then posed the question: "The question is, is he worth more than that? Do Newcastle value him more than that?".
"And if they value him more than that, how much more and is it an outrageous ask? Cause that's where then I feel a player gets to go, 'Hold on, you're pricing me out of the market unrealistically, and so I have a problem.' And that's the detail that we need to get from Isak and his camp, I think.
"When you look at the other transfers of the summer, you have to ask. Is Newcastle's price, for argument's sake, £140m, £150m... is that realistic? Is that £30m to £40m more expensive than a [Florian] Wirtz?", reports the Mirror.
"If we're to say, 'Yes he is', then I don't think Liverpool will go and meet their asking price, and Isak has to accept that. But I think what Isak and his camp need to do is, they need to know what the asking price was, and were Liverpool comfortable meeting that asking price?".
Ferdinand then shed light on where he believes things have gone awry between Isak and his club, speculating whether a gentleman's agreement was actually in place between Isak and Amanda Staveley, before her departure from the club.
Ferdinand continued: "That's the problem. I think there's been a gentleman's agreement, a promise made at this price that will unlock you ready to go to that club is asking for you.
"That price has been met, but the person that has given the promise has left the football club I think. And the new regime, and new people in them seats are saying, 'The promise wasn't with us, it was with that individual not the club, there's no paperwork to say that it's the club backing that. That person promised, they're no longer here, promise is void.'".
"Isak is saying, 'Woah, woah, woah. I'm not happy about that.' Now I think where the club maybe should have done better, is this conversation should have been had as soon as that person left.
"Now, the nuances I'm talking about is did the person who made the promise and left the football club tell the people coming in?'I've got a promise by the way with one of our best players, if not the best player. Just you wanna take that up and you want to start talking about that now.'".
"Maybe in January, whenever it was, [say it] so you don't have this problem in the transfer window, in the summer where there's little time. Pressure's on and you're doing it in the public now, and they're airing their dirty laundry.
"I think that's been a big mistake, and I think that you've got to look at these player power moments and these verbal agreements. The player refusing to play, refusing to train... this is a last resort situation."
At present, Liverpool have yet to table a second offer following the rejection of their initial approach, and with fewer than a fortnight remaining until Transfer Deadline Day, it's unclear whether they will pursue the matter further.
Isak has allegedly insisted he will never turn out for the club again, irrespective of whether he secures a switch to Merseyside before September 1 and despite having three years remaining on his existing deal. Liverpool seem to have put their pursuit of Isak on hold for now, focusing instead on strengthening their defence ahead of the new season.
The Reds recently secured the signing of centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma in a £26m deal and are now eyeing a move for long-term target, Marc Guehi, from Crystal Palace.