Expert: Newcastle's relationship with Liverpool in tatters after 'public move'
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(Credit: Manh Tung, Hasan Karim - Breaking Media)
Callum O'Connell
Thu 4 September 2025 21:00, UK
Newcastle United chiefs are not happy with the way the Alexander Isak deal was conducted on all sides following his record-breaking move to Liverpool.
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 the relationship between the two clubs has been damaged by the situation.
Isak completed a £130million move to Liverpool on deadline day after going on strike, refusing to train or play for Eddie Howe’s side to ensure he got his move.
This came after Football Insider revealed in July that Newcastle believed Liverpool were trying to unsettle Isak into forcing a move by making their interest public.
While both the club and the player were ultimately justified in their actions, they are believed to have left a bitter feeling at St James’ Park.
However, Newcastle also benefited from similar tactics as they landed a deal for Yoane Wissa, who had been on strike at Brentford to force through the move.
Credit: Imago
Football Insider revealed on 3 August that Newcastle wanted to conclude the Isak saga quickly to minimise the unrest with a cloud looming over the club.
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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 the length and public nature of the saga ultimately made the situation worse.
“Eventually, it will be seen as the best outcome for everybody,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s got his move away, Liverpool got the player they wanted, and Newcastle got their money.
“But it leaves a bit of a black mark against him, and from what I hear, Newcastle aren’t happy at all with the way the move came about.
“They won their first trophy in 70 years with him, and then he left in the way that he did.
Credit: Imago
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that Liverpool made their move public to unsettle the player.
“It worked, he went on strike, didn’t play, didn’t train, and eventually that worked out for him.
“I don’t think the relationship between the clubs will be quite as strong as maybe it was before, they’re going to be reluctant to do deals with them in the future.
“You have to say, sometimes the clubs are the ones who make those decisions and force players out, so they can’t really pretend they’re holier than thou.
“But it’s not a situation anybody will look back on in a positive light.
“I think now they’re just keen to move on without him, it’s done and over with.”
Isak is not the only player Liverpool attempted to land on transfer deadline day, with Marc Guehi also on the verge of a late move to Anfield before it fell through.
Football Insider later revealed on 2 September that Liverpool will reignite their interest in Guehi in the January transfer window as he remains a key target.
Credit: Imago
With his contract at Selhurst Park expiring next summer, he could be available for a reduced price in the new year, which could tempt Liverpool into making another approach.
Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider that Guehi is “angry and disappointed” at Crystal Palace for “stitching him up” so late in the transfer window.
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