Viktor Gyokeres has refused to point the finger at Alexander Isak following his transfer from Newcastle United to Liverpool.
The biggest transfer in British football history went through on deadline day, as Alexander Isak joined Liverpool for £125million.
The 25-year-old was eventually able to force through the move he wanted, with Newcastle releasing a blunt statement on Isak’s transfer to Liverpool.
Isak has been heavily criticised for his actions, while there are concerns about the ramifications of the Newcastle United owners finally bowing down to the player’s demands.
However, Isak’s fellow Swede Viktor Gyokeres sees things differently.
Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres sing the Swedish national anthem ahead of playing for Sweden in the Nations League.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Viktor Gyokeres says clubs have ‘the most power’ as Alexander Isak joins Liverpool
Gyokeres is currently away on international duty alongside Isak, with both players securing big money moves this summer.
While Isak’s deal went to the wire, Gyokeres joined Arsenal much earlier in the summer. However, his transfer from Sporting CP had complications as well, with the 27-year-old not turning up to pre-season training to push through his move to Arsenal.
Like Isak, Gyokeres got his wish. Now the striker has been asked by Sky Sports News if it is unfair to suggest that player power is becoming too important in the transfer market.
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“The clubs have the most power,” he said.
“It’s maybe difficult for the players to choose in a lot of cases.
“When it’s a player that is not wanted in that club I think it’s the total opposite. He doesn’t have any power, the club can literally do whatever they want with the player.
“It’s difficult, but it is how the situation is.”
"When it's a player that is not wanted in that club I think it's the total opposite, He doesn't have any power, the club can literally do whatever they want with the player" 💬
Viktor Gyokeres was asked about player power in the transfer market pic.twitter.com/fZGLRgFh8P
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 2, 2025
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The Newcastle United target who did not force a move
On deadline day, both Isak and Yoane Wissa got the moves they wanted. They took matters into their own hands, doing whatever they could to leave Newcastle and Brentford respectively.
It is somewhat ironic that Newcastle have effectively replaced Isak with Wissa given the similarities between their situations this summer.
But one player who did not kick up a fuss and force through a move was former Newcastle United target Marc Guehi, despite a late push from Liverpool. Instead, Crystal Palace pulled the plug on the deal and forced him to stay at Selhurst Park.
The centre-back acted with maturity and respect, yet did not get the transfer he wanted. That has perhaps strengthened the argument for players to take control, although it could be argued that Liverpool should have made a bigger offer earlier in the window rather than waiting until the final day to snatch a bargain.
While Liverpool’s tactics allowed them to get Isak for £25million less than his asking price, it also resulted in them narrowly missing out on a £35million deal for Guehi.