Newcastle’s Alexander Isak wishes to explore his options as Liverpool consider a huge bid for the striker, and the striker’s past comments suggest what he’s looking for from his next club
Wantaway Newcastle striker Alexander Isak previously outlined his ambitions to win titles, with Premier League champions Liverpool gearing up to make their move. The Reds have wasted no time in sharpening their squad for the upcoming season with a series of high-profile and expensive acquisitions – and they still want the Swedish striker through the doors at Anfield.
With Liverpool ready to show their hand, Isak’s head has been turned. But maybe the clues to Isak’s future were there all along, as speaking back in March, the 25-year-old communicated his desire to land the game’s biggest trophies.
While he acknowledged his commitment to the Magpies, his words suggest that Isak is perhaps looking for a level of success – and a contract – that Newcastle simply cannot supply right now, with the club having been hamstrung by PSR (Profit and Sustainability Regulations).
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“I’ve said many times, I don’t really look too much or think too much about my future,” Isak said four months back. Making clear his desire to win top-level silverware, he continued: “But yeah, I’ve said I’m happy here and we are contenders for titles, which is what you want to win as a football player.
“The chances are there (to win things). Yeah, as I’ve said, I’m not thinking about the summer, but that will be a talking point when the season is finished.
“No [contract] talks have been held yet. I have high ambitions. I am trying to create my own history at Newcastle. Happy with what I have done so far but always looking forward.”
Isak is now believed to be privately frustrated after Liverpool’s initial approach was rebuffed by the North East side, as per Sky Sports.
Last week, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe confirmed that Isak would not be joining Newcastle’s pre-season tour after the player informed the club he wanted to explore his options regarding his future.
The Swede’s absence was blamed on a minor thigh issue. But this followed an episode where Isak was sent home ahead of Newcastle’s 4-0 pre-season defeat to Celtic, with Howe judging that the player wasn’t in the right frame of mind to play following speculation over his future.
Events were then complicated by Liverpool’s capture of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69million – a player who was extensively chased by Newcastle.
Isak reportedly saw this as a possible end to his hopes of moving to Anfield – however, it seems that Reds boss Arne Slot is looking to structure an audacious system that features Isak and his new French striker.
In his three years at Newcastle, Isak has become an icon. He has scored 62 goals and helped them win the Carabao Cup last season, beating the very club in the final he purportedly wishes to join this summer.
Yet Isak’s ambitions are clear and speak volumes – he wants to win trophies. And as one of the Premier League’s best strikers, he also wants to earn a befitting wage, with upwards of £250,000 per week said to be his target.
Earlier this month, Isak’s agent, Gonzalo Gaitan, told Saudi Arabian publication Arriyadiyah that Isak’s future may be coming to a conclusion sooner rather than later.
“We are indeed studying and analysing all options,” he said. “We may be close to finalising the next step for the player, without revealing any details regarding whether Isak will transfer or stay with Newcastle.”
Yet for all the bluster and might of Liverpool’s current power in the transfer market, still, no bid has materialised yet. Isak also has three years left to run on his current deal. Newcastle are also believed to value the player at £150m, meaning Liverpool will most likely have to shatter the British transfer record, again, by some margin to drag a deal over the line.
Quizzed on Isak’s future this week, Howe said: “He is still our player. He’s contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him.
“I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that’s not in my full control. We have not received a formal offer for Alex, from any club. My wish is that he stays and we see him playing again next year.”
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