‘Newcastle have themselves to blame as acrimony causes Alexander Isak exit fear’
Newcastle’s instability at the boardroom level may lead to Alexander Isak’s exit during a miserable summer transfer window.
The Magpies are scrambling. Hugo Ekitike’s agreement to join Liverpool marks the fourth target Eddie Howe’s side have failed to secure this summer, after Bryan Mbeumo, Joao Pedro, and Liam Delap all rejected the opportunity to make St. James’ Park their new home next season.
This was not how the 2025 summer window was meant to go. Newcastle had been remarkably frugal in the three preceding transfer windows, with Lewis Hall the only major incoming player in that time period.
Unshackled by the burdens of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), the Magpies targeted some of the most in-demand players the league has to offer.
However, Newcastle were seemingly ignoring an issue staring them in the face relating to their talisman and record-signing.
‘Acrimony’ between Alexander Isak and Newcastle
As reported by The Telegraph, former co-owner Amanda Staveley promised Isak a new contract in 2024.
However, the businesswoman and her husband and business partner, Mehrdad Ghodoussi, sold their shares and left the club in July of that year, before a new deal had been agreed.
Paul Mitchell took over as sporting director that same month, but with three years remaining on Isak’s contract and the club struggling PSR-wise, the new recruitment chief “decided not to open those talks” with the striker.
This led to “acrimony”, and the striker’s agent felt personally “insulted” by the situation.
Mitchell himself has since departed the club this summer, adding to the instability that is plaguing Newcastle at the boardroom level.
Alexander Isak’s agent has spoken to Liverpool
Newcastle’s failures to tie down their most valuable asset, and the tense relationship that has been created as a result, make it unsurprising that the 25-year-old is heavily-linked with an exit.
It would also be of little surprise if the striker’s agent himself is driving the idea of his client leaving this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, finance expert Stefan Borson explained that it was “inconceivable” that Isak’s representatives would not have spoken to Liverpool about their interest.
Man City’s former financial adviser also thought that the striker would indeed be open to a move to Anfield this summer.
Newcastle continue to hold firm on Alexander Isak
Despite their star man being so strongly linked with a move to the reigning Premier League champions, Newcastle are holding firm on their desire to keep the former Borussia Dortmund striker.
In the same Telegraph article as above, it is reported that the Magpies “will offer him a new deal that would make him the club’s highest earner”, once the dust has settled.
But once again, that just looks like Newcastle are in denial about the fact that Isak may want out badly enough to force a move.
As much as they may want it to, the dust may not settle. The striker was sent home by Howe ahead of their 4-0 loss to Celtic [The Telegraph], and despite the club’s manager insisting the 25-year-old will be at Newcastle next season, potential breakdowns in relationships with the coach and board do not bode well for Isak remaining in the North East.
The combination of a maligned agent and a star man who has been removed from the manager’s squad for the time being does not suggest that the Swedish striker will leap at the opportunity to negotiate a new contract in the way he may have done just one year ago.
And with that in mind, it would be no surprise to see a top side press the issue by making an offer for the Magpies’ top-scorer last term.
Had the club followed through on Staveley’s initial commitment and secured Isak on the improved wages he was in line for then most of the worry about a departure this term would likely have been headed off before it started.