The Alexander Isak transfer saga continues to ferment as the August transfer deadline approaches.
Isak went public with his disquiet at Newcastle United after being named in the PFA Team of the Year for 2024/25, alleging “broken” promises in a statement published via social media.
The Sweden striker concluded: “When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue. That’s where things are for me right now — and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.”
Newcastle responded with a statement of their own.
“As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired,” it read. “We do not foresee those conditions being met.”
Liverpool had a £110 million bid for Isak rejected on August 1 and have not been back to the negotiating table. Will Isak still get the move he desires? And if not Anfield, where will he go next?
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Alexander Isak next club?
Liverpool
For all the ill-feeling that appears to be building on all sides, this still feels like the most likely outcome. Liverpool want the player, have set aside funds and Isak wants to leave Newcastle. The St James’ Park hierarchy – such as it exists since the departure of Amanda Staveley and sporting director Paul Mitchell — are entitled to dig their heels in. Isak has three years remaining on his contract and Newcastle do not need to sell.
However, much of their success under Eddie Howe has been predicated upon the manager putting together hard-working teams that is greater than the sum of its parts. Keeping that feel intact as Champions League football returns to Newcastle might be a big ask with such a high-profile malcontent in the ranks.
Barcelona
Let’s imagine Newcastle’s reportedly hardened stance that they will not countenance selling Isak before the deadline holds. Reintegration would not happen overnight. Wounds will take some time to heel but, in a World Cup year and with the Magpies competing at home and abroad, you image Isak would re-enter the fold eventually.
A best-case scenario for all concerned might be a repeat of Luis Suarez in 2013/14. Arsenal tried and failed to pry Suarez from Anfield before the Uruguay star went on to have the best season of his career to date, taking Liverpool agonisingly close to the Premier League title. In summer 2014, the other side of biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, he joined Barcelona to form an all-star forward line alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Next summer, we could see a sort of re-run, with Barca likely to be in the market to replace prolific veteran Robert Lewandowski. Well, not a complete re-run. Isak doesn’t really strike anyone as a biter.
The only road block to this would be the ongoing financial struggles of Barcelona, which continue to plague them in seemingly every transfer window. Could they find the funds for fee and wages?
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Real Madrid
A £100+ transfer drama unfolding without Real Madrid in the picture? Never! Right now, there isn’t really space on the superstar roster at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Xabi Alonso in the early stages of trying to impart his footballing vision on a club that typically doesn’t have one, beyond amassing as many of the most famous and sought-after players as possible.
It’s improbable that Florentino Perez won’t have been keeping abreast of developments in England. If Rodrygo is moved on from Madrid – something that, at the time of writing, appears to depend upon Tottenham signing Savinho to free up space at Manchester City for his Brazilian compatriot – it would leave Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe as starting attackers. The specialist centre-forwards are Endrick and Gonzalo Garcia. Irrespective of Alonso’s plans, you can be sure Perez would like to fit Isak into that equation, this summer or next.
PSG
Luis Enrique’s decision to stop playing with an orthodox centre-forward unlocked PSG on their run to Champions League glory last season. Still, Goncalo Ramos’ equaliser in the UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham showed the value of a specialist.
Ramos is one of several strikers to have been linked to Newcastle amid the ongoing Isak strife and PSG will always have the financial means to bring a player of his calibre in the other direction should they wish.
Fenerbahce
Okay, probably not, but hear us out. Last season, amid a breakdown of relations at Napoli, Victor Osimhen moved to Galatasaray on an initial loan deal despite being one of the most prolific and sought-after strikers in Europe.
Moves such as this are facilitated in part by the late closure of the Turkish transfer window – which remains open until September 13 – and the generous wage packets on offer from the Istanbul giants. In response to Osimhen being the new darling of Gala, Fenerbahce will likely chase a marquee signing of their own if they get past Benfica in their Champions League playoff clash.
And don’t forget, Jose Mourinho is their head coach now. How he would love to enter, stage left, at the end of a classic English transfer drama.
