Some big claims have arrived today on the future of Alexander Isak in what may be a power play – or tactical move – from Newcastle United.
Eddie Howe revealed last night that it is “clear” after talks that Isak is not ready to train with the group, even stating that it’s highly unlikely the Swede features in next weekend’s opener at Aston Villa unless something drastic changes.
However, a bombshell report today from The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards reveals that PIF have stepped in and told the 25-year-old he won’t be leaving.
With the club facing a battle against time to sign two strikers before 1st September, the player still contracted to the club for three more years and Liverpool’s opening offer and nature of their approach angering the club, Toon chiefs have hit back.
Isak is thought to be angry at the club’s stance and has not taken the decision well, forcing him to train away from the group and arrive at the Benton base after our senior stars leave each day.
Liverpool’s £110m bid fell well short of Newcastle’s £150m demands and The Telegraph have been told that a move to Anfield is ‘extremely unlikely’, even if another striker signs.
It’s a high-risk approach from PIF, although we suspect it’s a move to take back some of the power, reminding Isak and his camp that they won’t have the club over a barrel or give Liverpool belief they can pluck the world’s best striker for a fraction of our asking price.
Discussing Isak’s situation after yesterday’s 2-2 draw against Espanyol, Howe said:
Spot on too as he can’t act like this when he’s contracted for any length of time let alone another three years! I don’t like PIF taking the blame as player power is ridiculous these days as well as the agents. If nobody stumps up £150m then that’s that isn’t it really?! He either knuckles down and we can sell him next year for probably something like £100m and then we can replace him if he really wants to go. Well done PIF and the board
Eezy(Quote)
What makes me laugh is the numbskull Lpool ‘fans’ (most of whom couldn’t find Merseyside on a map) who keep saying he can claim constructive dismissal because a former club director allegedly promised him a new contract 😆😆. When he’s turned down talks on better deals since and has 3 years left. Yeah that always happens in football doesn’t it…..Superb legal brains at work there or what!
Pif are 100% right to make very clear we are in control here. No cheap sale or making it easy for the injury faker and his arrogant, sanctimonious new pals
East stand(Quote)
Yeah good luck with that. If he wants to leave he ll leave. If he refuses to play there is literally nothing the club can do but sell. I love all the crying geordies who think hes gonna stay after the way they’ve treated him.
Bill Shanks(Quote)
Leave nufc with an unhappy player. That’ll let everyone know how the club treats it’s star players. No wonder they can’t get a replacement. If you sign, you’re stuck.
Jan Sandhu(Quote)
I get it, and it obviously depends on what offers come in for him – but I think if there’s an improved offer that takes the fee North of £130m then we should take the money & get rid.
Howe also said last night that this current situation IS having a negative impact on the rest of the squad harmony – that’s something that has been key to our success under Howe.
If he’s happy to train away from the rest of the lads it’s clear he’s not bothered – and in terms of discipline – if he’s turning up to train & not refusing to play, how do you discipline him?!.
But not refusing to play and actually putting the effort in to make the runs & score the goals – that’s a different thing altogether – and Howe not trusting him & not selecting him is different again.
It will be all Howe is quizzed about all season – especially if we have bad spells as we inevitably will do.
I don’t see Liverpool coming back with £150m – I think they can and will wait until next summer when that fee will come down and we end up getting a fee of around £100m anywhere – but what demand gets done this season in the meantime.
I don’t think it’s a power play at all.
We held on to Ashworth as a ‘power play’ – I’d argue that slowed things down in our operations and ultimately he went anyway, so what was the point 🤷🏼♂️.
But if they are determined to keep him – why not apply some of that determination to buy a few players that DO want to be at NUFC – go get Wissa and breath some positivity back into our club FFS!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Liverpool fans just need to accept that they dont have that power. NUFC wants to outgrow them like city did and in the end their manufactured hIstory will mean nothing in 50 years and other clubs such as us will have become the big clubs in the EPL.
Danish Magpie(Quote)
Hang on. After the way we treated him?
6 million a year and an adoring public.
I think you should consider the way he is treating NUFC.
There were plenty crying scousers when TAA was poached by Real Madrid as there was when Gerrard was off to Chelski. The top and bottom of it is your lot are in pickle as you’ve bought Ekitike, and are desperate for Isac.
Newcastle owners can see that and want the price on offer. It would be 180 million for me.
The little birdy(Quote)
What a pile of rubbish you spout. He can’t just leave dimwit
Mig(Quote)
If you know anything about Liverpool Bill shankly would have kicked his rear end for the way he has behaved .. stop whinging Newcastle will sell who they want when they want … you can find out in the Liverpool echo after Sept 1st 😂😂
Mike(Quote)
The irony is Bill Shank spent last season posting how much of a disloyal little rat Alexander Arnold was 😂.
Sharpy17(Quote)
isak like most players are loyal to the £ cant blame the young man ,its his life, i hope nufc fans when he leaves do not abuse him and treat him with respect ,like in the keegan days clapping opponents skill only the toon has ever done that , now thats how it should be hwtl
jed(Quote)
Yeah. F*k Liverpool, let Ishak rot for the next 3 years. No one is bigger than the club here.
J(Quote)
Great move by the owners. Makes the club look so much more attractive to potential signings. I bet Delap, Ekhitke, Mbuemu, Pedro, Trafford & the rest wish they’d joined now.
Fjc30(Quote)
Another clueless comment and like others have said the writer probably gave TAA stick for his departure also.
Funny how it changes when the situation favours them, f###ing idiot 😂
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
If you act like a total 🔔 end, take a injury, refuse to play and want out of a 3 year contract instead of acting like someone like Kane then sure we’re going to not stand for it.
You’re only saying this as it’s a player you want. Double standards LMAO get back to your Sussex Scouse site
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
Absolutely glorious:-
Paying the sulk £6-8 million for 3 years is nothing to PIF, they have his registration and if he doesn’t play for 3 years his career is up the Swanee.
Some of these players including Wissa need to be taught a lesson (unless there is a get out clause in the contract) because they signed it.
Feigning injury whilst training away is probably a breach of contract and he should be fined. I don’t think there are many players in the cold light of day would think Newcastle are in the wrong, it could have been so different if sulk had behaved differently, it’s all about communicating with your employer in a professional manner.
Good on you PIF.
Joseph(Quote)
Bill Shank 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 you need too go back the circus 🎪 what a 🤡
Jonboy72(Quote)
They never let you down the Lpool numbskulls, what a laugh they are. Love it!!!
East stand(Quote)
Further questions need to be asked by the FA.
Isak exploring his options?
What options were they exactly, as he has clearly stated Liverpool and no one else?
How can he possibly explore options when he still has three years on his contract left?
Did Liverpool approach Newcastle before all this mess broke out?
Why did he not go on the club tour and who allowed him to train by himself?
What exactly was this injury that just appeared, as apparently scans showed nothing?
Did anyone tap him up from Liverpool to join them?
PIF have a right to know as they employ him.
What was his agents role in this?
Joseph(Quote)
Fk’in Christ the puerile posturing on here is as ridiculous as a pantomime.
GR(Quote)
Let him rot don’t sell him he has 3 years left so ok he doesn’t play he doesn’t get paid and then he ***** himself up because his national team won’t choose him as he won’t be match fit so **** the rat and when he goes i hope he hurts his knee and it ***** his career
Also Newcastle gave him his big chance when no one else would just shows you he has no loyalty and respect to those who gave him his chance and the help with his training looks like his parents have dragged him up and gave him no honour and morals just disrespect for everyone else but himself his agent is no better his agent is just the scum of the earth with no morals
Yeah **** Liverpool(Quote)