In a developing transfer saga, Newcastle United appear to be holding onto their prized striker Alexander Isak, much to the player’s dismay as a move to Liverpool becomes increasingly unlikely. The Swedish forward, who played a pivotal role in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup victory and their subsequent qualification for the Champions League last season, is reputedly ‘on strike’ according to a well-placed club insider.
Liverpool’s £110 million bid for the 25-year-old, who netted 23 times in 34 Premier League outings last term, was met with refusal. With the Magpies unable to secure a replacement missing out on RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko to Manchester United talk of a second Liverpool offer has cooled.
The stand-off has seen Isak refraining from training with his teammates, which will resultantly see him miss Newcastle’s Premier League curtain-raiser at Aston Villa this Saturday. Reports have emerged that this will lead to his first disciplinary fine from the club, as his future on Tyneside hangs in the balance.
Transfer expert Craig Hope reports that despite the club’s willingness to reintegrate Isak and extend his contract with promises of a release clause or assurances of a future exit, the Swede’s heart is set on Anfield, seemingly undeterred by any alternative.
The influence of Isak’s agent, Vlado Lermic who reportedly views this as a potential career swansong looms large, as the club’s leadership grapples with a set of scenarios. ‘Scenario A’ involves allowing Isak to return to team duties, while ‘Scenario B’ sees the Magpies striving to line up a suitable successor, further complicating negotiations.
‘Scenario C’, which predicts Isak staying put against his preferences, is now deemed ‘more likely with each passing day’. Contrastingly, ‘Scenario D’ considers a sale and the reliance on existing squad members like Anthony Gordon and soon-arriving Yoane Wissa expected from Brentford as interim striking options.
Despite the tumult surrounding Isak’s position, the Newcastle hierarchy have found themselves in an unenviable dilemma, grappling with a formidable predicament as the summer transfer window edges toward its conclusion. As of now, what remains clear is that the Isak situation is an unresolved enigma with twists yet to unfold.
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