(Credit: Imago, Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Callum O'Connell

Thu 21 August 2025 8:49, UK

Alexander Isak is growing increasingly likely to remain at Newcastle United beyond the end of the summer transfer window.

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That is according to former Man United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that no club has come close to meeting the 25-year-old’s asking price.

This comes after an official club statement (19 August) revealed: “We have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired.

We do not foresee those conditions being met.”

Football Insider revealed in May that Newcastle are demanding a huge fee to sell Isak, in an attempt to put off interested clubs including Liverpool.

Since then, the striker has made clear his desire to leave, claiming the club have broken promises which they remain adamant were never made.

As a result Brown warned Football Insider on 12 August  that Isak could be in breach of his Newcastle contract if he carries out on his threat to refuse to play this season.

Newcastle are sticking to their stance over Alexander Isak.

(Credit: Imago)

This article contains exclusive comment from Mick Brown, a football transfer expert and former chief scout for Man United and Sunderland among others.

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Football Insider revealed on 12 August that Liverpool identified a second-choice to Isak and are putting plans in place in case they miss out.

Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that it is not impossible that the striker could remain at St James’ Park.

“I’ve said it before, but Isak can’t just refuse to play,” he told Football Insider.

“He’ll be in breach of his contract and that opens up a whole new can of worms.

“If he stays at Newcastle and doesn’t play, he won’t be getting paid his wages because they can fine him every time he doesn’t show up.

“That’s no good to anybody though, it’s not a situation they want to be in.

“They’ve done everything they can to keep that relationship open and not burn their bridges because they would like him to still be part of the squad.

“It’s getting to a point now where it will be very difficult for that to happen.

Eddie Howe’s stance over Alexander Isak has been firm.

(Credit: Imago)

“But from Newcastle’s point of view, they set a price for him at the start of the summer and no club has come in to meet that asking price.

“So they have no obligation to let him go while he’s still under a long contract.

“It’s always been their intention to keep him at the club, even when he’s kicking up a fuss, unless somebody pays what they want for him.

“If it gets to a point where he turns around and says he wants to get back to playing, gets his head down and comes back, he’s got some making up to do.

“I don’t think it’s impossible, that’s what Newcastle would like, so we’ll see.

“At the moment, unless Liverpool come in with the money they’ve been asking for, it’s looking more and more likely that he will stay.”

While speculation about Isak’s future continues to hang over them, Newcastle have set their sights on potential replacements including PSG’s Goncalo Ramos.

Brown told Football Insider on 19 August that Ramos wants to join Newcastle after scouts have been keeping tabs on his progress in France.

Goncalo Ramos has emerged as a key target for Newcastle.

(Credit: Getty Images)

Ramos made 46 appearances across all competitions for PSG last season, but just 18 of those came from the start, and he is open to to chance to play more regular football.

This comes as the Magpies continue to assess alternatives to Isak, having already missed out on top targets Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko this summer.

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