'It's a bit over the top' - Newcastle's latest Alexander Isak claim stuns journalist
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(Credit: Imago/Manh Tung, Breaking Media)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Sun 7 September 2025 9:31, UK
Alexander Isak categorically did not “down tools” in an attempt to derail Newcastle United’s Champions League bid last season, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have said about the continued fallout of Isak’s transfer to Liverpool.
Liverpool smashed the British transfer record to pay £125million for Isak on deadline day following a saga which has spanned the entire summer, with Isak doing his best to force his way out of St.
James’ Park.
Isak made his position within Eddie Howe‘s side untenable by refusing to train, play or travel to their pre-season tour, and reports have emerged to suggest that this stance extended as far back as last season.
Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards reported via X on 1 September that from April onwards, Isak was “behaving and playing like someone who did not want the team to qualify for the Champions League”.
Newcastle did, however, reach Europe’s elite with a fifth-placed Premier League finish, and sources have told Football Insider that such accusations are “clutching at straws” in a bid to further discredit Isak.
Football Insider sources have said that Isak staying would have created a “toxic situation” for the season ahead at Newcastle, but added that all parties ended the window satisfied after his £125m departure.
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After Isak’s record-breaking move finalised a window which saw Liverpool spend roughly £450m in one summer, Football Insider revealed on Wednesday that Arne Slot won’t be given this level of funds again.
Speaking on the new Inside Track, O’Rourke was asked if claims about Isak “downing tools” have any weight behind them, after his 23 goals proved crucial to Newcastle’s Champions League qualification.
“They’re clutching at more straws than a scarecrow with those types of accusations”, he told Football Insider.
“It’s a bit over the top, I think – it’s best for all parties now that they can move on.
“Isak can look forward to his career at Liverpool and Newcastle can look forward to life without Isak and all their new signings as well.
“If Alexander Isak had remained a Newcastle player beyond the window closing, it just would have been a very toxic situation at the club.
“Obviously he is a big loss because he was so important to Newcastle, but everybody got their wish in the end with Isak getting his move to Liverpool.”
Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media
Isak’s departure from Tyneside being made to wait until the very end of the window didn’t help the Magpies’ cause in their bid to succeed him, with £124million of his £125m fee spent on replacements.
Yoane Wissa adopted a similar stance to Isak and was also forced to wait until deadline day, arriving at St.
James’ Park to take the number nine shirt after Newcastle signed Nick Woltemade two days prior.
Woltemade and Wissa costing £69m and £55m respectively put immediate pressure on the pair to fill the void left by Isak, but with so little time to get up to speed, Howe will have very little wriggle room if his new strikers don’t hit the ground running.