Over a week after Newcastle United stated they did not see Alexander Isak leaving for Liverpool this summer, things could change rather significantly.
Indeed, Newcastle confirmed in a statement that Isak was likely to stay at the club this summer despite his attempts to force a move to Anfield.
Liverpool could make a second bid for Isak, although they are running out of time. The transfer window shuts on Monday and there’s no absolute guarantee that Newcastle will accept even if a fresh offer comes in.
While Newcastle agreeing a deal for Nick Woltemade theoretically helps both Isak and Liverpool, it does not mean he will suddenly be allowed to depart. Eddie Howe surely needs another forward brought into his squad before the Sweden star is waved off, while Liverpool need to meet Newcastle’s valuation.
Luke Edwards, however, has noticed a change in mood.
Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring in a Premier League game between Newcastle United and Liverpool.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Newcastle United could sell Alexander Isak
Edwards has long insisted that Newcastle are prepared to block Isak’s move to Liverpool.
Still, on Friday, the Daily Telegraph journalist took to social media platform X to highlight something of a U-turn behind the scenes.
He revealed that Newcastle’s resolve to keep the 25-year-old has started to buckle for the first real time. Again, there’s still a chance he stays, but Edwards admits a move to Liverpool looks like it really could happen.
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“You can sense a change in the mood music around Alexander Isak and Newcastle United. A move to Liverpool, for the first time, looks like it could really happen,” he wrote.
“Of course, conditions still need to be met – Newcastle need to sign two strikers not one and receive an acceptable bid, but the resolve to keep him, has begun to buckle.”
His full post is below.
Eddie Howe drops major Alexander Isak hint
Howe has constantly suggested he sees a way back for Isak at Newcastle even despite his conduct.
Still, when speaking on Friday, the Newcastle United manager did appear to drop a hint.
Howe revealed that he cannot simply ignore all that has gone on with the former Real Sociedad striker this summer.
“Of course I have a footballing preference, but then you have to take everything else into account, you can’t just be oblivious to things that have happened,” he said.
The idea of Newcastle keeping Isak and refusing to be bullied into a sale looks good in theory. If they can land another forward, however, after agreeing the Woltemade deal, then perhaps it’s better just to get rid of him while they can extract a huge amount of money out of Liverpool.
Isak, as good as he is, may not be worth the hassle.