‘I’m afraid it’s going legal’ – Alexander Isak to Liverpool move turns sour
Alexander Isak’s transfer saga involving his potential move away from Newcastle United could be descending into legal chaos.
The 25-year-old has made his desire to move to Anfield abundantly clear, after Liverpool submitted an opening offer totalling £120million for his services.
Now, Isak has stated that he will never play for Newcastle again, as he continues his attempts to force a transfer.
However, the striker could be in breach of his Magpies contract if he doubles down on his claim and refuses to feature for Eddie Howe’s side.
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 the situation will go legal if Isak goes on strike.
‘Isak has played his cards too strongly, he has no power’
This article contains exclusive comment from Keith Wyness, former Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen CEO.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that the Sweden international has played his cards too strongly, as he currently has no power over the Tyneside club.
Isak still has three years remaining on his Newcastle contract, which doesn’t expire until the summer of 2028.
Wyness added that this means the forward has very little legal standing, as the Magpies have treated him very fairly.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think Isak has played his cards a little bit too strongly. If he’s got time left on his contract, Newcastle have got to say to Liverpool, this is his price, we’ve told you what it is, match it or that’s it, he’s going to just stay here.
“If he says he’s going to go on strike and not play, then that will have to be the case. Then the whole thing, I’m afraid to say, is going to go legal, which is unfortunately what we’re trying to avoid.
“Nevertheless, I don’t think it would be a FIFA case for Isak. I’m not sure he’s got any grounds to go to FIFA. Newcastle have treated him very fairly. I think it’s really come from his camp.
“If he had definitive proof that he was told he was going to get a new contract, and that didn’t happen, then he may be able to do something. That’s one case that would have to be in writing, and I’d be very surprised if that was the case.
“I think the club may have alluded to it, but I don’t think they necessarily would put it in writing. Otherwise, it would have been done.
“He’s in a very poor position right now because he’s eroded all his trust already with the fans and with other clubs. I would consider that as the chief executive of another club. I would look at that behaviour and think, well, he could do that to me.”
‘Newcastle race Leeds for Leicester star‘
Meanwhile, Leeds United are reportedly prepared to rival other Premier League clubs in the race to sign Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss this summer.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who claims that the 21-year-old has emerged as a key target and an offer could be made soon.
Despite their relegation last time out, the attacking midfielder impressed for Leicester and has attracted attention from a number of Premier League clubs.
Newcastle are also interested in El Khannouss, but Leeds feel they can convince him to make the move to Elland Road with the offer of first-team football.
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