Alexander Isak has been warned by Wayne Rooney that Newcastle's squad "wouldn't want him back" following his relentless campaign to engineer his departure and seal a switch to Liverpool. The Sweden international has spent the majority of the summer attempting to orchestrate his escape from St James' Park, yet the Magpies have remained resolute, turning down a £110million offer from the Reds.
Isak is growing increasingly frustrated and has pointed to "broken promises" from those at the club. The striker believed he would be permitted to depart if a club of Liverpool's calibre made an approach, but Newcastle have refused to consider his exit. Meanwhile, Isak has declared he will no longer represent the club and continues to stay away from training sessions.
His most recent dramatic gesture occurred on Tuesday evening when he released a statement attacking the club.
Newcastle kicked off their campaign without Isak as they drew 0-0 at Aston Villa, with Anthony Gordon forced to spearhead the attack in the Swede's absence.
The Magpies have hit back at Isak's explosive statement, insisting he "remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates", but Rooney doubts the existing squad could genuinely forgive his behaviour.
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Speaking on his new podcast, he said: "For me, I don't think there's any way back for Isak at Newcastle. I think there are cases where it can happen, but from me as a person, I don't think I could accept them back. In terms of Isak's team-mates I wouldn't want him back.
"You can ask to leave a football club - that happens, or the club tell you you're leaving - but you have to be professional. You've got friends in there who you play with, you have fans who are paying a lot of money to support and you can't just walk out on it. And if they're going to do it once, they'll do it again."
Isak has been a key player for Newcastle over the past three years, helping transform them into a Champions League team and increasing his own reputation in the process. The Swedish striker is now considered one of the top forwards globally and played a crucial role in Newcastle's first trophy win in 70 years last season.
Newcastle have made it clear they don't want to lose him. Their determination to retain him has been strengthened by the challenges they've faced in signing new players.
They attempted to sign Benjamin Sesko, but were outbid by Manchester United, and their efforts to secure Yoane Wissa from Brentford continue to be unsuccessful.