It was supposed to be a fairytale – a rising star, a club with ambition, and a fanbase hungry for success.
But behind the scenes at Newcastle United, things have quietly been unraveling between Alexander Isak and the club’s top brass.
Now, the 25-year-old Swedish striker has told the club he wants out—and Liverpool are ready to make it happen with a record-breaking offer.
The Broken Promise That Started It All
It all began last summer, when Isak believed he was set to receive a new and improved contract.
That promise, allegedly made under the previous leadership of Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, never came to life.
When the husband-and-wife duo were pushed out of the club in July 2024, new management took a different stance.
Sporting director Paul Mitchell, brought in by chief executive Darren Eales, decided Isak’s existing contract—still four years long and already hefty—was good enough.
From a financial point of view, it made sense. But from a human and emotional one? Not so much.
Isak felt betrayed. And when Eddie Howe spoke publicly last season about some players being unsettled, this disappointment was one of the key reasons.
On-Field Struggles and Off-Field Frustration
That frustration showed in the early part of the season. Isak scored just once in his first seven games.
His body language, reportedly, had staff concerned.
Howe, usually tight-lipped, even hinted at certain stars not pulling their weight.
His message was clear: if players wanted European football, they had to earn it on the pitch.
But Isak’s dissatisfaction wasn’t just about money.
He wanted to see more from the club—bigger signings, upgraded facilities, real ambition from the Saudi owners.
Not just words on a streaming docuseries. He wanted actions.
Still, thanks to Howe’s leadership and a strong, focused dressing room, the squad pushed forward and lifted their first domestic trophy in 70 years.
Isak even scored in the Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool—a moment now laced with irony.
A Tense Ending to the Season
Despite his goal tally eventually climbing to 27 by season’s end, things didn’t end on a high.
Isak pulled out of a crucial match against Arsenal, citing muscle fatigue.
For some at the club, it felt like the writing was on the wall—he was checking out.
Now, as Newcastle train in Singapore, Isak is not with them.
The official reason? A thigh injury. But the situation feels murkier.
He trained briefly on Monday before leaving the pitch early and hasn’t been back since.
The injury excuse has been used before, notably before their heavy defeat at Celtic, when Howe allowed him to head home rather than sit on the bench.
The sense is clear: this isn’t just about fitness anymore.
Howe’s Take – Optimism or Damage Control?
Eddie Howe has publicly expressed hope that Isak will remain a Newcastle player.
He’s said Isak “loves the players, the staff, the team.”
All likely true. But the feeling is different when it comes to the club’s upper hierarchy.
When CEO Darren Eales mentioned earlier this year that the contract issue would be revisited in the summer, some close to the situation believed it was already too late. Isak’s mind was made up.
Eyes on Liverpool, But the Deal Isn’t Done Yet
Liverpool, sources say, are preparing a British record bid—rumoured to be around £150 million.
Whether they can generate the necessary funds remains to be seen.
If they do, Newcastle will have to choose: cash in or risk having an unhappy player on their hands.
Isak, who turns 26 in September, is not asking for more money as a negotiating ploy.
This isn’t about salary anymore. He wants to win the Champions League, not just play in it.
It’s an ambition that, given his talent, isn’t unreasonable.
Who Could Replace Isak?
Behind the scenes, Newcastle are already preparing for a possible departure.
The club is making discreet inquiries about potential replacements.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is on their radar, with early contact made.
Brentford’s Yoane Wissa is also in the mix, with a £35 million deal reportedly advancing over the weekend.
Isak’s Character: More Than Just a Transfer Saga
Anyone who’s spent time around Alexander Isak knows he’s not the kind of player to cause drama without reason.
He’s laid back, charismatic, and quietly cheeky.
Back in Stockholm before the Carabao Cup final, former coaches at AIK described him as humble and good-humoured.
A prime example? When Bruno Guimaraes belted out a cheeky chant about rival club Sunderland during the trophy parade, it was apparently Isak who egged him on.
This is a player who cares, who connects. And that makes his current situation all the more difficult—for him, and the club.
The Inevitable Decision Ahead
Right now, Isak is back on Tyneside “nursing an injury.”
But if he’s still missing when Newcastle open their season at Aston Villa in three weeks, it likely won’t be about his thigh.
The truth is, Isak may have to push harder if a move is to happen, despite having three years left on his deal.
His agent, Vlado Lemic, is known for being assertive when needed.
And once Liverpool’s formal offer lands, Newcastle will face a tough choice—hold onto a restless star, or sell and reinvest with a historic fee.
Either way, this story is far from over.
