With the transfer window a week away from closing, the burning question now is whether Alexander Isak will end up staying or move to Liverpool. Isak’s saga has been the hot topic of the summer, one that’s stained with controversy. If his preferred move to Liverpool does come to fruition, it’ll likely end up being one of the most expensive transfers ever, and the most expensive in Premier League history.
Alexander Isak wants Liverpool move
It’s been made clear that the Striker only wants to play for Liverpool. His recent statement signals that he believes his chapter with Newcastle United has come to an end. As per him, the relationship with his club has broken down. His statement reads, “The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading. When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue.”
The player’s statement makes it clear that he communicated his intentions to the club internally, a while ago. The statement comes after Newcastle rejected Liverpool’s opening bid of £110 million for the Swede. The player clearly felt betrayed by the club’s actions, as he was expecting the club to let him leave.
The saga has severed any bond Isak had with the Magpies’ management. Some reports claim that the issue has also broken the dressing room environment. Such a situation only strengthens Isak’s willingness to leave, especially to a thriving club like Liverpool.
Newcastle’s stance
Newcastle released an official statement of their own, in response to Isak’s statement. The club claims that no “commitments” were ever made to the player. The statement made it clear that the Magpies would only be willing to let go of Isak if certain conditions are met. The club claims that they don’t see those conditions being met.
The “conditions” that the club mentioned are likely to be the exorbitantly high asking price set by the club. The Toons value the 25-year-old at £150 million. Such a valuation, if met, would see Isak becoming the most expensive player in the history of the Premier League.
Eddie Howe, the head coach at Newcastle, spoke on this issue in a recent press conference. The coach confirmed Isak’s claims that he held internal talks earlier, during the final months of 2024. Howe reiterated the fact that Isak holds a contract with Newcastle until 2028. He believes that the situation he finds himself in is a “sad moment”. He insists that he and his squad would welcome Isak back to training, as the Swede has been avoiding the training sessions as a form of protest.
Liverpool’s stance
Liverpool’s interest in Isak is confirmed. In fact, the Reds are considered the only club in the race to sign Isak, as of now. Their opening bid of £110 million was rejected earlier this month. They are reportedly readying a new bid to be submitted soon.
New reports suggest that Liverpool will submit an improved bid when Newcastle land a replacement for Isak. Some reports also suggest that if Newcastle do find a replacement, a bid worth £130 million may just be enough for Isak to leave. Both the clubs involved will be battling it out on the field tomorrow night, in what is expected to be an extremely fiery atmosphere. The Reds will reportedly escalate the deal after this clash. Journalist Ian Doyle reports that there’s a “nagging suspicion” that Liverpool only wants Isak and won’t settle for anyone else. The journalist suspects that Isak will join the Merseyside club sooner rather than later.
Most likely outcome?
Newcastle won’t budge with their asking price, especially if they don’t find a replacement. Hence, the only realistic resolution to this issue is Liverpool matching the asking price, be it £150 million or £130 million.
Everything points towards Liverpool eventually doing so in the coming days. The club are willing and capable of making a large bid. We’ll likely see Isak wearing the red jersey, come September 1st.