Alexander Isak - Newcastle Star
Alexander Isak Transfer: Eddie Howe Admits Newcastle Star’s Future May Be Out of His Hands Amid Liverpool Interest
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has conceded that the club may not be able to hold on to star striker Alexander Isak, as speculation surrounding the Sweden international’s future intensifies following interest from Liverpool.
Despite Isak still being under contract with the Magpies and no formal offer having yet been submitted, Sky Sports News reports that the 25-year-old forward has expressed a desire to explore his options during the ongoing transfer window.
Speaking at a press conference in Seoul, South Korea, where Newcastle are continuing their pre-season preparations, Howe said:
“He is still our player. He’s contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that’s not in my full control.
Howe also confirmed that no official bid has been tabled for Isak’s services:
“We have not received a formal offer for Alex, from any club. My wish is that he stays and we see him playing again next year.”
Isak Want a New Challenge
Isak, who has three years remaining on his current deal, has been pivotal for Newcastle, netting 62 goals across all competitions in three seasons and playing a key role in their 2023 Carabao Cup triumph. However, sources close to the player suggest he feels he has reached a natural point to take the next step in his career.
Despite Isak’s omission from Newcastle’s 4-0 pre-season loss to Celtic and the club’s tour of East Asia—officially attributed to a “minor thigh injury”—the timing has raised eyebrows
According to internal reports, the striker was visibly unsettled following an informal approach from Liverpool, which ultimately culminated in the Reds signing French striker Hugo Ekitike for £79 million instead.
That move has reportedly left Isak frustrated, as he believes he was denied a fair opportunity to consider a transfer that matched his ambitions. Sources suggest the striker views his own development as having outpaced the club’s progress, with ambitions now focused on challenging for top domestic and European honours.
Isak is also believed to be seeking a significant pay rise, aligning his earnings with elite Premier League strikers in the £250,000–£300,000 per week range—figures Newcastle are currently unwilling to match.
A telling remark from Howe during the post-match conference against Celtic may have alluded to the internal tension:
“I am really aware it’s a short career for a footballer.”
This sentiment is thought to reflect conversations held between the club and Isak’s camp, who are acutely aware of both the fleeting nature of top-level football and the financial opportunities currently available.
With three years left on his contract and Newcastle reportedly valuing the striker at around £150 million, any move would likely require a record-breaking bid. However, with Liverpool already securing Ekitike and no other formal offers on the table, Isak’s future remains uncertain as the clock ticks down on the summer window.
For now, the Magpies may still hold the cards—but the player’s intent could prove decisive.
Source – My News Ghana
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