‘Alexander Isak to make shock Newcastle U-turn’ after new Liverpool reveal
Alexander Isak could yet remain at Newcastle United this summer in what would now been seen as a shock U-turn given he appears hell bent on leaving.
Football Insider revealed on 28 July Liverpool are increasingly “confident” of signing Isak after making an initial enquiry about the striker earlier this month.
The Swedish international has not travelled with Newcastle on their pre-season tour of Singapore and South Korea amid the uncertainty around his future.
Official word from the Magpies is that their star striker is suffering from a minor thigh injury, but the 25-year-old has reportedly asked to leave the club.
However, Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that all hope is not lost for Newcastle, and Isak could change his mind.
‘Isak could replicate Morgan Gibbs-White’
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Isak could replicate Morgan Gibbs-White and sign a new deal at Newcastle, to put rumours of a move away to bed.
Gibbs-White had looked set to join Tottenham, but following a disagreement over a release clause has penned a new contract with Nottingham Forest.
Wyness added that he hopes Eddie Howe can talk some sense and convince Isak to stay at St James’ Park.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “It’s one of those where Eddie has got to take him to one side and also the club have got to reconsider his new contract situation, if they could resolve that.
“Recently, Morgan Gibbs White, that’s a situation where it was as good as done and somebody was going, and then things got reversed. Isak could be that situation.
“I think he actually quite likes Newcastle, but he feels as though he was promised something and they didn’t deliver. I think they’ve got to deliver on that new contract, and then I think Eddie Howe could talk him round and get him to stay. So all hope is not lost with this situation.
“It’s gonna be one of those that the club’s gonna have to reconsider. It’s difficult for clubs to eat humble pie, though.
“If they were able to get him to sign the new contract, they’ve already seen that he could be going for £150m to £200m. So why not invest in that asset and keep him happy?
“I just don’t know, though, personally, how far the problem has gone in terms of conversations with him and his agent, and if it’s irreparable. I would hope not, and I would hope that Eddie Howe could talk some sense and that the owners see they’ve got an asset that’s worth preserving.
“If they’re to kick on, having him this season would be rather important, if they’re going to move to the next level. So I’m hoping they can turn it around. All is not lost.”
‘Newcastle add England international to striker shortlist’
Meanwhile, Newcastle have reportedly added Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins to their list of transfer targets in the final month of the transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Villa scout Mick Brown, who claims that the 29-year-old is among a number of options who could replace Isak.
Meanwhile, Football Insider exclusively revealed on 28 July that Aston Villa are open to offers for Watkins and have been surprised by the lack of interest this summer.
Tottenham and Man United have also been keeping tabs on the England international’s situation at Villa Park, but have not made concerted moves.
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