Alexander Isak didn’t board the plane with Newcastle for their preseason tour in Asia. Officially, the club says he picked up a minor thigh issue. But if you believe the reports coming out of The Telegraph and Daily Mail, there’s more to the story. Behind the scenes, Isak has already told the club he wants to leave this summer. Liverpool, of course, is already watching closely.
The Swedish forward is under contract until 2028, but that might not matter much. He could still end up being one of the biggest transfer stories of the window. Newcastle says they don’t want to sell, but the pressure is building fast.
A goal machine who wants out
This isn’t about form or friction with the fans. Isak is in his prime. He was the second-highest scorer in the Premier League last season with 23 goals, just behind Mo Salah. Across all competitions, he found the net 27 times in 42 games. He helped Newcastle lift the Carabao Cup and became the go-to guy in Eddie Howe’s attack. But somehow, that hasn’t been enough to keep him in black and white.
Last week’s friendly against Celtic raised a few flags. Isak didn’t play. The club brushed it off, saying it was due to “speculation.” Now, with him missing the tour completely and reports confirming he wants out, things look different. Quietly, this feels like the beginning of the end. There’s no dramatic statement, no press conference. Just silence from the player, and a club that’s acting like it knows what’s coming.
Liverpool’s interest and the numbers behind the deal
Liverpool has already stepped forward. Several outlets in England say they’re ready to pay around £120 million to bring Isak to Anfield. It’s a huge fee, but it lines up with what he’s been delivering — and what Liverpool needs right now.
Newcastle isn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet. Word is they’ve set the price at £150 million just to start the conversation. It might be a negotiating tactic, or a way to stall. Maybe both. But once a player of Isak’s caliber makes it clear he’s ready to go, it’s hard to keep a lid on things. And if Liverpool is serious, this won’t drag for long.
Isak signed for Newcastle in 2022, when they paid £63 million to Real Sociedad. Back then, he was still seen as a rising star. Now, at 25, he’s delivering exactly what was promised. And maybe more.
Then there’s the Champions League factor. Newcastle had a good season, but there are no guarantees moving forward. Isak knows that. He wants more than domestic runs and solid projects. He wants the spotlight. And he’s not interested in waiting another year to get it.