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Alexander Isak has been assigned No.14 once again this season.(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)

Newcastle United have confirmed that Alexander Isak has got a shirt number for the 2025/26 season, despite the striker's desire to leave the club and make the switch to Liverpool.

Isak, 25, is adamant he will never represent Newcastle again, while he's reported to be furious over a 'broken contract promise' that led him to decide that last season would be his final one at St James' Park.

Even if Newcastle refuse to cash-in and he remains at St James' Park when the transfer window closes, the striker believes that his career on Tyneside is finished and he does not want to be reintegrated into the squad.



Despite this, Eddie Howe's side have still assigned Isak a shirt number ahead of their Premier League curtain-raiser vs Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

In a club statement, the Magpies confirmed that Isak has kept the No.14 shirt.

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Isak has donned that number ever since his £63million move from Real Sociedad and he will wear that again this season, should he remain at Newcastle and make a U-Turn on his stance that he will never play for the club again.

Callum Wilson's departure earlier this summer left the No.9 shirt free, but Isak has still kept No.14.

Former Newcastle director and minority co-owner Amanda Staveley had promised Isak that he and the would sit down to discuss a new contract, which would have been deserved for his performances.

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But Staveley, who left the Magpies in July 2024, departed before both parties could negotiate fresh terms.

Paul Mitchell came in as Newcastle's sporting director and changed tune on that promise, which frustrated Isak.

Ex-Tottenham and Monaco chief Mitchell cited the club's need to comply with profit and sustainability rules (PSR), but in October last year Anthony Gordon signed a new long-term contract.

Isak has three years left on his contract at the Magpies and extending his stay there was not seen as a matter of urgency, but it was then made clear that the 2024/25 season would be his final one on Tyneside.

Some at Newcastle deny that Isak's wish was expressed and that the striker had planned to discuss the situation and a potential new contract with club bosses following the conclusion of last season.

Newcastle face Aston Villa in their Premier League curtain-raiser on Saturday and Howe has made it evident that he cannot pick Isak, as things stand, for his squad's impending trip to the west Midlands.

"For me, I'm trying to manage the situation and manage the team and to, most importantly, manage the group of players that I'm working with day to day, that I love coaching and helping," Howe said.

"We're focusing on Aston Villa.

"Everything else, to a degree, from my perspective is not in my control, so it's not my focus."

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When asked about whether he believed he could convince Isak to stay, Howe said: "If it was that easy, I'd have done it yesterday."

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