Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is at the center of a high-stakes transfer saga amid interest from Liverpool. The 25-year-old Swedish forward, who scored 23 goals and provided 6 assists in 34 appearances last season, including the winner against Liverpool in the 2025 Carabao Cup final, has attracted significant attention from the Premier League champions as they seek to strengthen their squad for the 2025-26 season.
Reports reveal Liverpool have approached Newcastle with a potential offer rumored to be around £120-130 million. These efforts appear aimed not only at securing the player’s signature but also at unsettling Isak to influence a possible transfer. However, Newcastle remain firm in their stance, with the club and its majority owner, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), adamant that Isak is not for sale. Newcastle are also actively pursuing Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, signaling their intent to reinforce the squad without parting with Isak.
Amid this tension, Isak was notably left out of Newcastle’s squad for a recent pre-season friendly against Celtic, a move by manager Eddie Howe attributed to the "intense scrutiny" surrounding the player’s future. Despite this, Howe has publicly expressed confidence that Isak will remain at St James' Park for the start of the season.
Football analysts and former professionals emphasize Newcastle’s priority should be retaining Isak, suggesting that holding onto their proven goalscorer outweighs the pursuit of new signings. This strategic focus is believed critical for Newcastle’s ambitions in the upcoming season.
The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing negotiations and public posturing from all sides. Liverpool continues to deny allegations of attempting to unsettle the player, while Newcastle seemingly remain unflustered by Liverpool's approaches, determined to maintain squad stability and resist pressure to sell their key forward.