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Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Sat 16 August 2025 13:31, UK

Alexander Isak is likely to need to win back more than just Eddie Howe’s approval should he return to the Newcastle United squad this season.

Isak ranks as Newcastle’s most expensive player of all time after arriving from Real Sociedad on a £60million deal in 2022 [BBC Sport], but his time at St James’ Park could be coming to an end.

The Sweden international has made no secret of his desire to join Liverpool following an eye-watering bid from Anfield, which was swiftly rejected, and has now excluded himself from the squad for the start of the season.

Football Insider understands that Isak will eventually get his “dream” Liverpool move, currently sitting at home while the Magpies attempt to find a replacement, but time is running out for the club to do so.

Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Hugo Ekitike have all been on the transfer list this summer, but if the unlikely event of Isak returning to the squad were to happen instead, Dion Dublin fears for his popularity amongst his teammates.

Speaking live on BBC’s Football Focus (16 August, 12:29pm), Dublin said: “I would find it difficult accepting Alexander Isak back into the dressing room.

What he is saying is, ‘I don’t want to play with you lot because you’re not as good as that lot’.”

The 25-year-old is one of the most prolific goal scorers in Newcastle’s history, notching 62 goals in his first 109 appearances, but Howe now faces an extremely difficult remaining few weeks of the transfer window.

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Football Insider understands that Newcastle blame Howe for the club’s transfer failings thus far, but with Malick Thiaw and Aaron Ramsdale now through the doors, all that is left is a striker.

(Credit: Imago)

Football Insider verdict

The Reds sealed a 4-2 win over Bournemouth in their Premier League opener on Friday, 15 August, but despite an onslaught of goals, it was clear that a striker is still on the list this summer.

Ekitike has quickly become a favourite at Anfield, and so too has Florian Wirtz, and supporters are very aware that a new centre-back is desperately needed after Jamie Carragher slammed Ibrahima Konate’s performance.

Isak’s future remains the major talking point at both Anfield and St James’ Park, however, and it does not feel like it will go away until he signs across the dotted line for Arne Slot‘s team.

(Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

Yoane Wissa has also emerged as a surprise target for the Reds, and that would be another blow for the Magpies, but Slot is not messing around in the transfer window for the 2025/26 campaign.

The whole Isak saga has been a massive surprise to much of the Premier League, but with news coming out of his contract talks being shelved, some of his actions can be understood.

Of course, supporters at St James’ Park would love him to return for one more season, especially with Champions League football ahead of them, but nobody can predict how this ends.

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