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News
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'We're close to finalising the next step' - Isak's agent drops BOMBSHELL transfer hint
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 21 Jul 2025 06:47 BST
- 5 min read
News
The agent of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has shared a major transfer update amid significant summer interest from Liverpool.
The Sweden international has been linked with a St James’ Park departure for several months and rumours of an exit have intensified in recent weeks.
Current ETV
Alexander Isak
F (C)
Newcastle Utd.
Alexander Isak
F (C)
Newcastle Utd.
ETV Range
€104.5M - €127.7M
However, Newcastle have made it clear that Isak isn’t for sale, and Liverpool have responded by reaching an agreement to sign Eintracht Frankfurt centre forward Hugo Ekitike for a transfer fee that could reach €95 million with add-ons included.
Despite this, Isak continues to be linked with a summer transfer, and Foot Mercato have revealed that he is open to joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal before the start of the 2025-26 campaign, with talks ongoing between Simone Inzaghi’s side and the Sweden star’s camp.
Isak’s agent, Gonzalo Gaitan, has now fuelled further rumours of a transfer during an interview with Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah.
“We are indeed studying and analysing all options, and we may be close to finalising the next step for the player,” he said (via The Daily Mail).
“Without revealing any details regarding whether Isak will transfer or stay with Newcastle.”
Eddie Howe confirms Alexander Isak decision
Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has confirmed that he omitted Isak from the Magpies’ matchday squad to face Celtic on Saturday due to speculation linking him with a summer transfer.
After the 4-0 defeat, Howe told reporters: “I chose to send him home. The last thing Alex wants if he is not playing is to be sat in the stand and under that scrutiny, then if he wasn't going to play today, we mutually agreed he shouldn't be here.
“It was my decision. He travelled back to Glasgow with us, but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him. Both [Joelinton and Isak] are fit but not ready to play. Alex has trained and is fine but we didn't want to take the risk with him.
Howe added: “Yes, I've had discussions with him, but that's not abnormal. I respect a player's career and how short it is. Alex has been really good, he's trained really well and I realise there'll be noise around him.
STATS
Alexander Isak
F (C)
Newcastle Utd.
Alexander Isak
F (C)
Newcastle Utd.
“We have a few of those players who are irreplaceable. Your top players are so hard to find, so hard to recruit and so hard to develop. So when you have them, you need to treasure them. Of course we're desperate to keep him as part of our team.
“I think it's difficult for me to ever give 100 per cent clarity on any player, I'd never do that. All I can say is Alex is happy at Newcastle, he loves the players, the staff, the team.
“I've never had any issue with him and I'm confident he's going to be here at the start of the season.”
Isak, who scored 27 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions last season, has three years remaining on his current contract at Newcastle, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €116.1m.
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