Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Wed 13 August 2025 20:56, UK

Eddie Howe may now be relying on Liverpool to fix the ongoing drama surrounding Alexander Isak at Newcastle United for him.

Man got a phone call and had to keep a secret for months	Alexander Isak transfer takes ugly turn as Liverpool wait on new Newcastle United move	Alexander Isak admitted he'd turn down Newcastle offer as Liverpool target gets confirmation

The Sweden international has had his head turned by the interest from Arne Slot‘s side, communicating to his current club that he has no desire to play for the Magpies next season after they rejected a bid.

Since arriving from Real Sociedad, he has become an integral part of the starting lineup, notching 62 goals and 10 assists in 109 games, but his fairytale journey at St James’ Park appears to be coming to an end.

Keith Wyness told Football Insider that a swap deal could help Liverpool secure Isak’s signature, but if a move is not to materialise this summer, Howe and his staff face an impossible situation.

The striker now has no desire to reintegrate with the group, training away from the first team, and Ben Jacobs believes that a call from Anfield is the only thing that can solve the situation for Newcastle.

Alexander Isak’s stats in the 2024/25 season (Credit: Imago)

Speaking to talkSPORT (13 August), Jacobs said: “Newcastle can’t be so firm in excluding Isak once the window shuts and he’s still their player.

Isak has the World Cup to think about, so can he go on strike?

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“If Liverpool can get Isak, you feel there will be a rewriting between him and Newcastle, because now it feels acrimonious.

If he does leave, then it’s very common for club and player, once they know he’s departing, for them to say positive things about each other…

“Alexander Isak will not consider his position of never playing for Newcastle ever again unless Liverpool call him up and say a move this summer is impossible.”

Football Insider verdict

The boss has faced an incredibly frustrating summer window, with Football Insider understanding that Howe is being blamed for Newcastle’s transfer failings over the last few weeks.

As well as losing the race for Benjamin Sesko to Man United, the club has been slow to act on their interest in James Trafford, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, and Dean Huijsen.

Aaron Ramsdale and Malick Thiaw have now joined £55million signing Anthony Elanga at St James’ Park [BBC Sport], but fans were expecting a much more exciting window after getting back into the Champions League.

(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

With Howe still facing the prospect of losing Isak to a Premier League rival, and William Osula as his only other natural centre-forward, it remains to be seen what the club’s plans are.

Of course, Anthony Gordon is capable of playing through the middle, but it cannot be seen as a long-term fix, with the former Everton star’s true talents lying on the left flank.

Despite a positive end to the 2024/25 campaign, everything seems to have come crumbling down for the Magpies, with everyone relying on Isak to carry the team forward.

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