With just a matter of days left in the summer transfer window, Alexander Isak's future is expected to be settled shortly as Newcastle get ready to face Liverpool in a feisty encounter on Monday
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Ipswich Town FC at St James' Park on April 26, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Alexander Isak's Newcastle United future will be decided in the coming days
(Image: Getty Images)
Speculation over whether Alexander Isak will stay at Newcastle or leave the north east after three seasons has been a hot topic this summer. The transfer saga has had it all, from the 25-year-old refusing to train and releasing a stunning public statement, to furious fans confronting the player to express their outrage.
With just over a week left of the transfer window, one thing is certain: Isak has no plans to play for Newcastle again. Liverpool, who saw a £110million bid for him turned down earlier this month, remain interested in securing his services and seem to be his most likely destination.
However, it's still unclear if they'll put forward a second offer anywhere near Newcastle's £150m valuation to persuade them to sell. Here, we will look to provide you with all the details you might have missed from the Isak saga, including the latest updates.
Lineker trolls Shearer over 'swap deal'
Newcastle were seemingly aware of Isak's wish to leave St James' Park this summer and had identified several players as potential replacements should he depart. Joao Pedro was one such prospect, with the Magpies having a £50m bid rejected for the Brazilian, before Chelsea stepped in with a superior offer to secure his services.
The Blues also successfully secured another of Eddie Howe's targets, Liam Delap, who preferred to join the Stamford Bridge outfit. Newcastle then switched their focus to Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike, who was also being tracked by Liverpool, despite their continued interest in Isak.
The Magpies came up short in that pursuit as well, reportedly having a £70m offer turned down as the Frenchman moved to his preferred destination in a £79m deal. After that setback, Newcastle chiefs scrambled to land Benjamin Sesko, submitting a second offer worth £69.7m before the Slovenian opted for Manchester United.
Pundit Gary Lineker played on Newcastle's repeated shortcomings on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast, cheekily asking Alan Shearer: "Why don't you do a swap deal? For Ekitike. Just to stir things up a little bit." Shearer could only roll his eyes and let out a bemused laugh, saying: "Oh, God."
Hugo Ekitike celebrates for Liverpool
Hugo Ekitike chose Liverpool over Newcastle(Image: PA)
No way back for Isak?
In July, amid mounting speculation regarding Isak's future, the striker was omitted from the club's pre-season tour of Asia. As transfer talk intensified and reports emerged suggesting that the Swede was pushing for a departure, Isak was excluded from Newcastle's Premier League curtain-raiser against Aston Villa last weekend.
They could only muster a 0-0 draw against 10-man opposition, whilst Isak's own fans directed scathing chants at him, branding him "greedy". Earlier this week, Isak ended his silence with a bombshell statement in which he claimed the club had "broken promises", while suggesting that he won't represent them again.
Despite Newcastle issuing a statement expressing their willingness to welcome Isak back "when he's ready to rejoin his team-mates," Wayne Rooney has suggested that the situation has become so toxic that it appears all bridges have been burned.
On his new BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, he stated: "If I'm a Newcastle player, I don't want Isak back. You can't go on strike, not turn up for training and train with your team-mates. If you want to leave the club or not, you have to be there for your team-mates and be ready if needed. For me, I don't think there's any way back for Isak at Newcastle."
Arne Slot's visit
Arne Slot talks to media at the post match press conference
Arne Slot's side will take on Newcastle on Monday
Arne Slot is set to visit St James' Park on Monday when Liverpool face off against Newcastle. Given the transfer sagas involving Isak and Ekitike, the match is anticipated to be a heated encounter. However, it's unlikely that Slot will face Isak, with both Lineker and Shearer predicting the player will steer clear of the drama.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Lineker said: "The fixture list sometimes does this beautifully, doesn't it? Newcastle vs Liverpool. Of course it is," before Shearer chimed in with: "Monday night, I'll be at the match as well."
When asked if he thinks Isak will be there by Lineker, Shearer replied: "No, do you?" The former Match of the Day host added: "Not a chance," as he erupted into laughter. Explaining how Isak's transfer saga will only add to the tensions during the match, Shearer added: "It'll be an incredible atmosphere. It's a bit tasty anyway, Newcastle Liverpool, so it's a bit of added spice I think, don't you?"
Eddie Howe's announcement
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe reacts after the pre-season friendly match between Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid at St James' Park on August 09, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Eddie Howe believes the matter will be resolved shortly(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
The Magpies head coach delivered a fresh update on Friday, saying the end is near regarding Isak's transfer speculation. Howe did not clarify whether that meant the forward would be leaving or staying, but he expressed his disappointment at how events had unfolded.
"He won't be part of the squad this weekend," Howe said in a press conference ahead of Newcastle's match against Liverpool. "The club has to act in the best interests of Newcastle United. It will do that in every situation. It looks like it is coming to an end, or it will come to an end pretty quickly."
Speaking about Newcastle's statement, he said: "It was a sad moment. My preference is that these things do not happen publicly. They are better dealt with behind closed doors. But needs must. The club has spoken, and justifiably so in that moment.
"He's contracted to us. He's our player. My wish is that he would be playing on Monday. He won't be, and that's regrettable. But 100 per cent, I want him back in a Newcastle shirt. It's a lose-lose situation. I don't think we can come out of this winning in any situation."