Newcastle star's bitter exit for Liverpool after explosive public rant and contract U-turn

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Alexander Isak has been pushing to leave Newcastle this summer - much like Jose Enrique did when he joined Liverpool years ago(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

As the Alexander Isak transfer saga continues to drag on, Newcastle United supporters could be excused for experiencing a feeling of déjà vu.

Isak has been desperately trying to engineer a move away from the north east over the past month, with Liverpool understood to be leading the race to land him.

The Swedish striker was the target of a £110million approach from the Reds at the start of August, which was swiftly rejected.



Ever since, Isak has made it clear that he doesn't see his future at St James' Park, training separately from the team and being absent for Eddie Howe's side’s opening three fixtures of the campaign.

The 25-year-old, who netted 27 times last term, including the winner in the Carabao Cup final triumph against Liverpool, recently issued a scathing statement claiming the club had "broken promises".

And despite the Newcastle ownership reportedly offering him a lucrative new contract in an attempt to persuade him to stay ahead of last Monday's home loss to Liverpool, Isak is determined to depart.

READ MORE:Alexander Isak to Liverpool: New transfer bombshell opens door for moveREAD MORE:Alexander Isak's training ground goodbye claims as Newcastle issue response

Swedish media reports suggested this week that Isak had already bid farewell to his Magpies colleagues, something Eddie Howe has since refuted.

Chants labelling him greedy, the burning of jerseys and even fans confronting him in the streets have been clear signs of the disappointment felt by Newcastle supporters towards their star player.

The situation bears striking similarities to the controversial departure of another former fan favourite, Jose Enrique, back in August 2011, when he joined the Anfield side for around £6m.

Spaniard Enrique had evolved into one of England's top left-backs during his previous two seasons at Newcastle and had become a cult hero after helping them win the Championship in 2009/10.

However, much like with Isak, an unsavoury transfer saga followed.

He had wanted to sign a six-year contract extension, but, contrary to what fans believed was the main reason for him pushing to leave, the defender was not interested in a pay rise - he wanted to win trophies and play in Europe, which seemed increasingly unlikely.

In Isak's case, though Newcastle are now in the Champions League like Liverpool, there remains a clear gulf between the clubs, with Arne Slot's men comfortably winning the Premier League last season and boasting European pedigree.

And in a tweet echoing Isak's own bombshell statement, Enrique posted: “The club is allowing all the major players of the team to go.