Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media / Imago

Harri Burton

Fri 8 August 2025 15:53, UK

Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak saga may not be resolved until the winter transfer window amid a shock claim as Liverpool aim to sign the sensational striker.

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The Reds have already seen a £120million bid knocked back by the Magpies, and while initially it was believed that the club would refrain from making a second offer, that remains a possibility.

Stefan Borson told Football Insider that Isak has made Newcastle appear incredibly “weak” after refusing to travel on the pre-season tour before jetting out to Spain to train by himself this summer.

While the 25-year-old is back at St James’ Park, he continues to train away from the squad, not joining in on family days at the training centre, but staying in the north-east has not been ruled out.

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

Eddie Howe’s side are not open to selling until they can secure a replacement, having missed out on Benjamin Sesko, Joao Pedro, and Liam Delap, but Stan Collymore believes he has found a solution for the Reds.

Writing in his Caught Offside column (8 August), Collymore said: “There is scope for Liverpool to sign Isak, but if Newcastle are going to be asking for more than £120m, I don’t think he’s worth it now.

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“Maybe they get a loan done now or in January, before revisiting the situation next summer, when he would be cheaper, provided that he does not sign a new contract.

“At that point, it can also be established whether he would be the main man or [Mohamed] Salah, depending on the latter’s numbers during the upcoming season.”

The same issue of Newcastle requiring a replacement will still exist, but Howe and his staff can use the first six months of the 2025/26 season to research and analyse.

Arne Slot has sanctioned exits for Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz.

(Credit: Imago)

Football Insider verdict

It has been well documented that Newcastle stalled talks over a new contract for Isak, leaving the Sweden international on worse terms than he could have been on elsewhere.

The 25-year-old now appears unsettled, and until he secures a move through to Anfield, it feels unlikely that he and the club will be able to come to a new agreement if it is not a move away this summer.

Football Insider understands that Howe is being partly blamed for Newcastle’s failures in the transfer market, and allowing Isak to leave late in the window without a replacement would be self-destruction.

Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media

Not only have the Magpies missed out on several attackers, but Dean Huijsen, Marc Guehi, and James Trafford all appear to be finding new destinations other than St James’ Park.

With Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Tino Livramento, and Joelinton all being held onto, there is no reason why Newcastle cannot have further success next season, but it will be more difficult.

Isak has registered 52 goals over the last two seasons, with another eight assists to add to his tally, and it is not a simple task trying to replace those figures in the Premier League, at least not for a nominal fee.

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