Alexander Isak is looking to force a move to Liverpool before the transfer deadline, and the Newcastle star's recent comments have been slammed by a football agent
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United
Alexander Isak's gentleman's agreement promise "doesn't exist", according to an agent
(Image: Getty Images)
Alexander Isak’s bombshell statement, in which he accused Newcastle of breaking promises, has been blasted as “ridiculous”. Isak's ongoing situation at Newcastle could reach a conclusion before Monday evening's transfer deadline.
The saga has seen the Magpies turn down a £110million offer from Liverpool earlier this month, before the situation became toxic with Isak pushing for an exit from St James' Park, training separately from his team-mates and being left out of this season’s opening fixtures.
The Swede, 25, has made his position crystal clear that he has no desire to play for Newcastle again. In a heartfelt Instagram message, he claimed the club had gone back on its word. That was understood to be in relation to either a new, upgraded contract, which Newcastle failed to agree terms with him on, or telling the striker they would be open to him exploring options elsewhere.
Newcastle's owners held discussions with Isak prior to their 3-2 loss to Liverpool on Monday evening in the hope they could persuade their star player to remain with the offer of a bumper new deal. However, Isak reportedly has zero interest in doing so.
The Magpies have therefore completed the £65million signing of Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade as a replacement ahead of a potential new British transfer record-breaking offer from Liverpool for Isak, which could be in the region of £130m before add-ons and bonuses.
Now, Sky Andrew, the sports agent who famously brokered Sol Campbell's controversial move from Tottenham to Arsenal, has strongly criticised how Isak's representative has managed his situation. Speaking on Sky Sports, Andrew explained how the agent was receiving commission each year of the player's initial six-year contract, which was signed when he joined in 2022.
Andrew went on to discuss the potential conflict of interest between an agent seeking to maximise their earnings through a new transfer and the best interests of their client. He said: “You've noticed, and I don't want to pour scorn on my profession, but you've noticed that it's only Isak that is seen as the bad guy.
Alexander Isak looks on as he arrives
Alexander Isak could join Liverpool for a record-breaking fee
(Image: PA)
"There's something going on behind the scenes where he's being advised to behave in a certain way, but this isn't a good situation for football. If he gets his move, it isn't a good situation for football because there are young footballers out there looking at the situation and thinking, 'Oh right, that's the way to do it.'
"Players have got to take responsibility for who looks after them. And it's quite obvious that world-class players need world-class advice; they need people with hindsight or foresight. If anybody's telling me that this player came into Newcastle and no one expected him to be successful, then why is he playing football?
"So now we have a situation where he's forcing himself into doing a move. Liverpool could quite rightly say to him, 'We want a 20-year contract with no buyout,' because he's got nowhere else to go."
Andrew then dissected Isak's recent statement and his claims that the club had broken promises, arguing that gentleman’s agreements shouldn't be treated as binding when millions of pounds are at stake - a view recently shared by Alan Shearer, who suggested that Isak "should sack" his agent.
He said: "That's absolutely ridiculous. Promises were reneged upon; we are in a multi-billion-pound industry. Any promises have to be put in black and white, in a contract; if it's not put in a contract, then it doesn't exist. And for any agent to not put discussions, whatever promises were made, they've got to be put in a contract.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe (left), who has insisted he still wants striker Alexander Isak (right) in is team amid continuing uncertainly over his future
Eddie Howe insists he made no promises to Isak(Image: PA)
"If it's not in a contract, you can't expect anyone to honour it. And for the player to say that he was made promises, that's a reflection on his representatives, because players just want to play football. And if they sit there with someone and say 'Oh right,' the common saying is clubs will say, 'Ah don't worry, just come and knock on our door,' when things are going well.
"That's just not good enough. He is a world-class asset, you can't blame Newcastle for giving him a six-year contract - well-played. But then when it comes down to the divorce, the divorce has to be negotiated at the same time as the marriage. There are too many agents out there doing an average job, and I don't want to criticise this agent in particular, because I'm not 100% sure what's going on behind the scenes - but this situation should never arise.”
Manager Eddie Howe has also spoken out this week, denying claims he promised Isak a move away from Newcastle this summer. Since Isak's comments, speculation has been circulating that Howe had told the striker he could join Liverpool once a replacement was found, but Howe has dismissed that claim.
“Absolutely not,” he said. “I never make any promises to any players regarding transfers because, ultimately, I’m not in control of the whole thing. I would never make a promise like that to any player.”
Fans have turned on Isak over his determination to leave after three years. While various reports say they expect movements ahead of Monday’s deadline, Liverpool’s current position is that they will not bid further despite reports claiming they're preparing a new offer.
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