Alexander Isak has privately declared that his Newcastle United days are over, as Liverpool’s pursuit of the Swedish striker rumbles on.
The 25-year-old, who joined the Magpies in 2022, has been training away from Eddie Howe’s main squad for weeks, with relations between player and club said to be at breaking point.
The Athletic claim Isak has no interest in returning to the fold at St James’ Park, even if the summer transfer window closes with him still in black and white.
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This standoff has been months in the making.
Alexander Isak has privately declared that his Newcastle United days are over, as Liverpool’s pursuit of the Swedish striker rumbles on
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Earlier in the summer, amid speculation over his future, Isak flew to Spain to work at former club Real Sociedad’s training base while Newcastle toured Asia without him.
He is not expected to feature in Saturday’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa.
The club’s official stance remains that Isak is not for sale.
However, behind the scenes, Newcastle are actively scouring the market for a potential replacement in case they decide to cash in.
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Targets reportedly include PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani, Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and Porto’s Samu Aghehowa.
Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund is also on their radar, though competition is fierce, with AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig also in the hunt.
Newcastle’s striker search has been frustrating so far.
They lost out on Benjamin Sesko, who joined United after having offers from both Premier League clubs.
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Newcastle are monitoring Rasmus Hojlund's situation as they eye potential replacements for Alexander Isak
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Hugo Ekitike opted to join Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt instead, while Liam Delap and Joao Pedro ended up at Chelsea.
To complicate matters further, Kolo Muani appears close to sealing a return to Juventus after a loan spell there last season.
The tension with Isak reportedly dates back to last summer, when the forward was told that a new contract was not forthcoming.
Newcastle, constrained by financial fair play regulations, pointed to his current deal which runs until 2028 as a reason for holding off despite their star man wanting more money.
Isak supposedly responded by making it clear that the 2024/25 campaign would be his last at Newcastle.
While some at the club dispute this version of events, suggesting Isak had intended to revisit talks later, the relationship now seems fractured beyond repair.
Liverpool, whose £110million bid was rejected earlier this window, remain keen but have yet to return with an improved offer.
Newcastle’s hierarchy could reconsider their stance if the Reds raise their bid towards the £150m mark but only if there’s still enough time in the window to bring in a high-quality replacement.
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Alexander Isak is determined to play under Arne Slot at Liverpool as he pushes to leave Newcastle before the close of the summer transfer window
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Until then, the saga looks set to drag on, with one of the Premier League’s top strikers stuck in limbo.
Newcastle's match with Villa will kick off on Saturday at 12.30pm.