Alexander Isak
Age: 25
Position: Striker
National team: Sweden
He has cemented his status as the star of the most heated transfer feud in history between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC. Earlier today, Liverpool made a massive 110 million pound ($149 mill) bid for Isak. Newcastle turned down the offer as they feel their willingness on valuing the player is above that. This development has sparked speculation about Isak’s long-term future at St James’ Park.
Isak proved hugely influential to Newcastle over 2022-23, playing a big part in their League Cup success and sealing Champions League qualification. He won’t be taking the pitch for Newcastle in the Premier League opener against Aston Villa this Saturday. Reports indicate that Isak has expressed a desire to leave Newcastle, further complicating the club’s plans for the season.
Capped 40 times by Sweden, Isak, who joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022, has three years left on his contract. His failure to appear on the roster sheet this weekend would trigger an automatic $50,000 fine. He runs the risk of incurring disciplinary measures for absence from a competitive fixture. The biggest fine possible for such an offence is the equivalent of two weeks’ salary.
Despite not appearing in the past month, Isak has trained alongside his teammates in the last few weeks. He is said to be going AWOL by skipping training sessions in order to force a transfer out of Newcastle. Liverpool manager Arne Slot has suggested that there could be a second offer for Isak. Their original offer was £40 million ($54 million) below what Newcastle wanted.
Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s manager, must be praying that Isak sees the club’s role in his long-term development as key. He noted, “He’s a highly intelligent person, and he knows he wouldn’t have the success here without everybody connected with Newcastle.”
Howe commented on the ongoing situation, stating, “As I sit here now, I don’t know that. Alex will control that.” He emphasized that discussions would need to occur for any potential transfer to take place, saying, “Yes, I believe there is [a possibility of a transfer], but of course, discussions and talks would have to take place in order for that to happen.”
