Alexander Isak's quest to swap Newcastle United for Liverpool took an unexpected twist on Thursday when his previous club, Real Sociedad, revealed he's training solo in the Basque region.

The Swedish forward has expressed to Newcastle's board his desire to seek a move away from St James' Park, with his heart set on Liverpool.

If the Magpies set his price too high or flat-out refuse to entertain offers, there's talk that Isak and his camp could consider what's been termed the 'nuclear option' – ending his contract unilaterally with three years left on it.

Isak made his way to Newcastle in a hefty transfer in August 2022, penning a six-year agreement.

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The court determined that certain FIFA transfer regulations were at odds with European law, as they hindered free movement and were anti-competitive.

Jean-Louis Dupont, the lawyer who spearheaded Diarra's case and was also pivotal in the seminal Bosman ruling which allowed players to become free agents after their contracts expired, is of the opinion that the recent verdict removes the risk of harsh penalties for players opting to terminate their agreements early.

Dupont, discussing the broader implications rather than Isak's specific situation, informed the PA news agency: "In its Diarra judgement, the court ruled that players have a right to termination without just cause and that it is for the ex-employer to establish the existence and the quantum of damages, knowing that losing the opportunity to transfer the player is NOT a damage.

"According to the court, such termination cannot entail disciplinary sanctions (when effected in between seasons)

If not, the right to terminate, as granted by the court, would just be theoretical

Alexander Isak of Newcastle United, the club he wants to leave

The global players' union FIFPRO immediately contested the changes, claiming they failed to "provide legal certainty" for players.

In May, FIFPRO released advice to footballers in light of a new ruling, indicating that a player's transfer fee or market value should no longer factor into the calculation of compensation owed to their former club
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