Football is a dirty business and there are always two sides to a story. The briefing around Alexander Isak’s departure has begun in earnest and we now have the Newcastle United version of events.
Luke Edwards of The Telegraph has detailed his understanding of the chronology that led to Isak joining Liverpool, and it is explosive. It should be noted that Edwards has steadfastly stuck to the line that Isak would not be sold since before the summer until the day before it happened, so he may be feeling bruised by the outcome. However, there is no reason to disbelieve his version of events as one of the best connected and most experienced journalists covering Newcastle.
The claim is that as far back as May 2024 when Newcastle were in PSR strife Isak was unsettled, and his agent started offering him around Europe.
By July 2024 Isak and his representatives were advised that contract talks (previously promised by the departed Amanda Staveley) would be postponed to 2025 due to Newcastle’s financial position. This is apparently the point where Isak said he would leave (this is disputed by Newcastle). Howe was aware that Isak was unsettled and then felt compelled to pull Isak into line after a miserable performance at Fulham, where he deemed Isak had been ‘sulking’ for a number of months. This man management tactic evidently worked as Isak hit his best form across the Christmas period and then publicly stated his happiness, dismissing suggestions he may want to leave.
The real issues started after the cup final victory in the spring of 2025. The idea is that some within the club believed Isak was ‘behaving and playing like someone who did not want the team to qualify for the Champions League, as he knew it would make it harder for him to explain to Howe and the supporters why he wanted to go’. This is an extraordinary claim.
The next revelation (confirmed by Eddie Howe over the summer) was that Isak discussed his future with Howe two weeks before the end of the season. he was reportedly told he wasn’t for sale, and no assurances were given to him. On the contrary the club tried to negotiate a new contract with Isak including a pay rise and release clause of between £120 – 130m in summer 2026, which his agent declined. It is at this point Newcastle started to become mindful of the precedent if they sold Isak for less than their £150m asking price.
By June, Newcastle still felt they could talk Isak around despite his agent’s ongoing assertions he would leave. They tried and failed to sign ‘competition’ for him, but there was a power vacuum at the top of the club following Mitchell’s departure, which meant Howe had to deal directly with Isak’s agent.
Howe decided by July that he would leave communications up to the Newcastle board and keep his distance from the situation, aware as he was that he still had to manage the player, although by this point Isak’s behaviour had escalated. Firstly, he pulled out of pre-season and went to train by himself, unauthorised, in Spain. Then his representatives, in an effort to cause ‘maximum damage’, leaked Isak’s desire to ‘explore his options’ while Newcastle were flying to Asia, which blindsided Howe and everyone else at the club.
Liverpool finally made an official transfer bid of £110m in early August which was swiftly rejected. Newcastle tried and failed again to sign some strikers, and Isak told Howe he would only rejoin the group if Liverpool withdrew their interest. Then Isak released his incendiary statement which Newcastle were compelled to respond to.
Jamie Reuben and a PIF delegation visited Isak at home on the day of the Liverpool game as one last throw of the dice to try and persuade him to sign a new contract, but it became clear at that point that he wouldn’t back down, and Newcastle started seriously to countenance selling him for the first time. Howe and Reuben weren’t sure which way PIF would decide to go, and ultimately, they determined that the damage was such that it was in the club’s interests to sanction a move. By this time Nick Woltemade had signed and there was encouragement from Brentford that a deal for Yoane Wissa was possible.
The cold 37-word statement released by Newcastle announcing Isak’s sale spoke volumes about what the club thought about Isak’s conduct.
There is a lot to digest here, and it should be viewed in the knowledge that it is one perspective and other opinions are available, but the overwhelming conclusion based both on this and the evidence of his actions can only be that Isak (and his representatives) have willingly torched his legacy and behaved in such a way that his position at Newcastle was untenable. He simply had to go.
This type of behaviour is expected from agents (who are after maximum financial return for themselves), but it is shocking and upsetting that a player who achieved what he did and said what he did around the time of the cup final could not have found it within himself to remain professional and respectful throughout the process, albeit his actions were ‘justified’ as he ultimately got his own way (which in itself sets a dangerous precedent – it should be lost on nobody that Newcastle benefitted from similar shenanigans in signing Yoane Wissa).
Anybody who watched Isak’s performances at the start and end of last season could be in no doubt that he wasn’t playing well, but it is confronting in the extreme to read that insiders believed this was due to his attitude and motivation rather than his fitness. There have to be serious questions asked about his absence at Arsenal – a game which coincided with him reportedly telling Howe that he wanted to leave. It is astonishing that a professional footballer may have decided not to play in such a vital game, but unfortunately the timing make it seem probable that this is exactly what happened. Why was this conversation even allowed to occur at such a critical point of the season?
Newcastle have come in for some criticism for their handling of this, from broken promises by now departed executives to perceived weakness at caving to the bully boy tactics of Liverpool, but if this report is to be believed it is difficult to find too much fault with their actions – they factored in the financial reality of the situation and then offered new contracts several times which would have protected both club and player. They tried hard (and belatedly succeeded) to sign replacements, and they concluded that a British transfer record sale was appropriate given the lengths Isak had gone to in order to ensure his departure.
Perhaps there are some lessons about naivety when dealing with superstars and their agents, and well documented challenges of a failed executive and operational structure which need to be resolved, but it seems Isak’s mind was made up regardless.
Thankfully this sorry saga is now over, and Newcastle have done some excellent squad refreshment. However, the long-term consequences of this remain to be seen. One sad outcome not in dispute is that one of Newcastle’s cup winners and best ever players will be reviled forever more. It feels like it didn’t have to end this way.
Who cares move on we have had a pretty good window but it’s been overshadowed by this mess.
No one is bigger than the club time to draw a line under it.
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
This is the same Luke Edwards who for the last month, said Isak would not be sold at any price, who was 100% wrong in everything around this deal id have to 2nd check the date on anything he wrote a complete Clown
Bob Smith(Quote)
Have it in your hearts to forgive him, don’t let him walk alone!! We all have dreams and his dream has come true – he’s signed for the champions, the most successful team in England and the biggest club in the world, not simply the biggest club in their own town.
Charley Varley(Quote)
Isak shudnt have behaved the way he did to force a move, but don’t rewrite history. He was a fantastic striker for us, one of the very best. Don’t believe a word the humiliated Luke Edwards says…
A(Quote)
It’s time to turn the page. Isak outgrew Newcastle—that’s a fact we need to accept. Transfers like this have happened to many clubs and will happen again (including to Liverpool). Isak even waived a €6 million loyalty bonus, which is almost a top player’s annual salary. Newcastle received a record fee and can now strengthen any position for the next few years without worrying about FFP. Everyone benefits from this deal.
Newcastle is just beginning its journey to become a top club. We’re still far from Liverpool’s level—first, we need to catch up to clubs like Spurs (our nearest benchmark). We need a new stadium, consistent European football, and a winning culture. We should follow Inter’s path, not Napoli’s—building for the future, not burning “traitors'” jerseys.
Personally, I’m looking forward to the appointments of a new CEO and sporting director. I hope they were just waiting for the transfer window to close, and we’ll hear announcements soon.
hmd(Quote)
Let me know when you stop writing about what some hack thinks might have gone on and start writing about events actually happening in our club, now that the nonsense has left the building
PremAndUp(Quote)
It took 7-8 years for Liverpool to win CL and PL under FSG during which time they won 1 league cup, lost several finals. Slow, incremental progress due to FSG’s steadfast adherence to their financial model of buy young and cheap, sell for profit (Torres, Mascherano, Sterling, Suarez, Coutinho all left for clubs more likely to win trophies at the time) and reinvest while increasing the stadium size, sponsorship (10 fold increase in number and god knows in actual income), data analytics and most of all coaching and senior level management. Many mistakes were made, signings failed and slow progress until landed on Klopp, Michael Edwards and Co. And pace of progress increased
Newcastle have the manager and 1st 11-13 players but seem all over the place at sporting director level. Until the owners learn how to hire the right people there, Newcastle will struggle to progress.
Phil(Quote)
From what I observed on the pitch, Isak appeared quite uninspired towards the end, while Wilson lacked any sharpness at all, we had nothing up front and we barely made it through and were incredibly lucky.
Some of this doesn’t come as a shock to me, and I would be interested to find out when Isak’s agent received his final payment related to his transfer to Newcastle, as that could align perfectly with the timeline. I sincerely hope we never engage in business with his agent again.
We are better off without a player who spent a significant amount of time injured or not fully fit, and even when he was on the field, he seemed to lack the application that Eddie anticipated. There’s a narrative waiting to unfold, and it will eventually be revealed; we just need to move forward for now and focus on what is a great season for us.
Pitchside parent(Quote)
I think there should be a no more idak articles rule here now. Its done its over and the whole thing was an embarrassing shambles in every single aspect.
Not least the liverpool lunatics coming here to drink our tears. Can we stop crying now and just focus on the players we have, new and old?!
Toonali87(Quote)
I hope Isak didn’t get a loyalty bonus. he certainly didn’t deserve one.
Peter Mercer(Quote)
This further illustrates why top players will think twice about joining Newcastle in the future. Without Isak, the club would not have won its first trophy in 225 years, without Isak, the club would not have made the Champions League, without Isak the club would not been anywhere near where they are. This really seedy response by the club will not be forgotten
Dale(Quote)
They had the right people with Amanda Staveley and her husband but they were ousted by a CEO who ironically felt they were ‘too hands on’ (yep you couldn’t make it up). What the owners actually need to learn is how to back the right horse!
Steve(Quote)
It’s almost as sad as someone not even from Liverpool supporting them and then making an account on another teams site to look like a total bell end 😉
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
A lot of this was before restrictions were put in place as well as inflation, it’s far more difficult now, especially if you can’t keep your top players due to underhanded dealings off tame journalists working for clubs.
MorpethMag(Quote)
You sad little boy,, why not go on a victimpool site, where you can chat with like minded victims and organise your next minutes silence.
MorpethMag(Quote)
Isak did not show any heart .. Newcastle gave him opportunity to become a good player but his agent and the player wanted more money .. Liverpool are a great club with great fans it’s also happened to them when bigger clubs like Madrid have played the game ., Andy caroll did not work out. Nor Darwin nunes.. you reap what you sow sometimes .. Liverpool are on a perch but only because of the psr cartel.. let’s see what happens in the coming years
Mike(Quote)
I agree, it’s time to forget Isnake and move on, Eddie made him into the player he is, and the fans worshipped him, short memory and no thanks!!
Lpoo will find out the hard way, when he repeats this behaviour when Real come calling, he was barely ever fit, injury prone clown!!
NUFC don’t need to cheat, we are true supporters through thick and thin, not glory expecting fools!!
Move on, we are better than this, get behind our team, we are family !!
PEDSTER(Quote)
Apparently, the Chronicle is now reporting a message from Isak on Instagram thanking the club and fans for 3 great years at the club!!
Has conscious got the better of him I wonder?
PEDSTER(Quote)
Let us move on. The Isak debarkle is over and we all must learn from this. As has been said. Footballer’s agents today do not respect contracts. So the Toon moves forward and we are going to have a bloody good season. Better now Isak has gone. His attempt at thank the club and fans is an insult and not heartfelt. His actions have proven that.
Martyn Hancock(Quote)
Crooks, snakes, rats and sack loads of money
Steve(Quote)
In answer to Charley Varley. You simply aren’t the biggest club in the world. You may think you are , but that’s because you’re one of those designer football fans that just pick a team/product and support those because it’s easy to.
Many Lpool fans I’ve known have a sense of pride in their club as much as any and don’t carry on with this tripe about how big they are. Lpool aren’t as big as Man U even though I spit blood as I write it.
Watched football for many years and not one of the all time great players have played for that club. From Pele, Puskas, Eusebio, Charlton, Cruff, Johnson , Maradona, Platini, Zidane, Messi, and Ronaldo which is indicative of that clubs stature. Dalglish was created by Jock Stein and wasn’t in the above named players bracket.
They may have had the best taps, as Ian St John believed , but they are not the biggest team in world.
I agree it’s time to move on and forget the Isac saga.
The little birdy(Quote)
Isak’s belated statement thanking Newcastle United, the fans, the city etc, does anybody seriously think he would have issued it if the Club had not posted their own ice-cold statement announcing his sale?
Carol Gilmore(Quote)
There is information and there is disinformation. So what do we believe? All contracts for top players usually contain a release fee. The size of this fee represents the worth of the player to the club. Then there is the fee represented by other groups within the market place often well below the “asking” price set by the club. Somewhere there is reasonable figure prepared to be offered and accepted between the selling and buying clubs. The rest may be seen as posturing. It seems that this is reflected in the Isak case.
However, the proof of what was said or not is circumstancial and would be difficult to prove if tested. There is no doubt that the way the player went about the whole matter was ill advised.
Turning to the comparison made with Wissa, it seems that evidence is available to put that player’s case to the test. The difference appears to be that his club gave two not three conditions for his release. The third was that Brentford sold their key striker and would not accede to Wissa’s release until a replacement had been found. Not part of the agreement as claimed.
The deals are done now and it is time to move on. Let us hope that these deals will make all clubs and players a little more circumspect in future when it comes to the matter of contracts.
John Henderson(Quote)
Inflation is relative to player sales and everything outside wages and transfer fees shouldn’t matter given owners wealth and it not effecting PSR. Players leaving is a set back if the club isn’t set up to reinvest well. Liverpool wasted the sterling, suarez and half the Torres money getting their kecks pulled down for Balotelli, Ricky Lambert, Stewart Downing, Andy Carroll, Benteke etc… before having the right scouting, sporting directors and management/coaching in place to spend the Coutinho money well. Newcastle seem poorly organised off the pitch, good manager and squad but not the senior level management.
Phil(Quote)
Not a chance, he behaviour was disgraceful. His antics cost us points. Both him and Liverpool should be punished, by the EPL and the FA. Nobody can tell me that the baldy Dutch **** and the rest of the hierarchy at VictimPool didn’t encourage his behaviour.
Carol Gilmore(Quote)
The player wanted to go, sure we could have said no and he may or may not have played, more likely to than not given it is a WC year. Even if he didn’t play well he would give all at WC so highly unlikely his value would go down, although the FFP date (jun 30) is mid tournament, so may have been the only concern on his value.
Also this Liverpool bully boy bs is embarrassing. We had all the leverage. 3-year contract. Didn’t need the money. Rich owners who could sell him to a Saudi side for 150m and WC coming up where lpool had to believe his value would go up pulling real and psg into the bidding.
But we decided to sell at a discount. What do we know. Lpool really want him, so we could squeeze them. They may have a money constraint but they have no player constraint. So we could have said you have to give something to get something and demanded szolszobsi and 90m to make it up to the 150. That’s far more palatable to lpool than 150 straight. But no we got only 125 less a 10% sell on fee that we didn’t even add ourselves!?!
We could have played our hand a lot better. But it is what it is now…until next time. Hopefully Howe doesn’t lose faith with the jokers around him…
Tim A(Quote)
Honestly, this whole situation sounds messy and full of half-truths. If even part of these claims is true, it’s disappointing from Isak’s side — but let’s be real, clubs also play their games behind the scenes. Hard to know who’s actually telling the truth here. https://wincraft.casino/hu
JamesS63(Quote)