Alexander Isak bombshell as Liverpool target responds to Newcastle United offer
Newcastle United have been told by Alexander Isak that he is open exploring a transfer elsewhere.
Alexander Isak wants to explore a move away from Newcastle United after sitting out of the club’s pre-season trip to Asia.
Newcastle jetted off to Singapore on Thursday morning with Isak absence from the 30-man squad. The official reason given was that the Swede is carrying a “minor thigh issue”, as revealed by NewcastleWorld on Tuesday, but the recent speculation has brought reason to doubt that.
Isak spent last week in Austria with his teammates but didn’t travel to Celtic on Saturday. Eddie Howe said staff were managing his minutes, though admitted the speculation formed part of the decision to leave the striker on Tyneside.
Alexander Isak open to leaving Newcastle United after failed contract talks
It was during Newcastle’s pre-season camp in the Austrian Alps that Liverpool first made their interest known in Isak, though did not make an official approach. Isak has also been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League.
The noises have unsettled the 25-year-old and according to various reports is now open to leaving the Magpies, three years after joining from Real Sociedad for a club-record £63million.
Isak signed a six-year contract, so still has three years remaining. A report from The Times claims United have held contract negotiations with Isak and his representatives but there has been zero progress with the player seeking £300,000-a-week.
Newcastle are willing to make Isak the best-paid player in their history but due to Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) are restricted to what they can offer. No player at NUFC is understood to be on a salary of more than £200,000-a-week.
Newcastle United don’t want to sell Alexander Isak but have a dilemma
It’s been claimed that Liverpool would be willing to offer a £120million British record bid for Isak, but Newcastle’s valuation is believed to exceed £150million.
But despite the figures mentioned, the Magpies have always maintained that Isak, who has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances, is not for sale. And that is still believed to be their stance.
“I think it's difficult for me to give 100% clarity on any player,” Howe said after Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Celtic. “I'd never sit here and do that because it's football and you never know what could happen. All I can say is that Alex is happy at Newcastle.
“He loves the players that he plays with, the staff, the team. I've never had any issue with him other than really enjoying seeing his talent and seeing him express himself. Certainly, I'm confident that he's going to be here at the start of the season.”
Isak’s stance undoubtedly puts Newcastle in a tough position. Should he stay, which is still the most likely outcome at this stage, Howe may potentially have an unhappy player in his camp.
There is also the problem of Isak not being fully fit by the time the Premier League opener away to Aston Villa on August 16 comes around, having not featured in pre-season yet.
Howe’s side face Arsenal in Singapore before travelling over to Seoul to play against the K-League All-Stars and Tottenham Hotspur. Pre-season then ends with a weekend double-header at St James’ Park against La Liga teams Espanyol and Atletico Madrid.