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Analysis
- 1 hours ago
Liverpool react quickly after bombshell Isak update: Newcastle striker furious
Robin Bairner
- 9 Aug 2025 13:30 BST
- 5 min read
News
Liverpool have reacted after receiving a new update from Newcastle United over the future of striker Alexander Isak.
The Reds have been hunting the 25-year-old Sweden international for several weeks, stepping up their interest after Isak made it clear to his current side that he wants to explore other options.
Tension has been building at St James’ Park over the issue, with the No.9 currently training on his own just a week before the Premier League season starts.
Current ETV
Alexander Isak
F (C)
Newcastle Utd.
Alexander Isak
F (C)
Newcastle Utd.
ETV Range
€105.4M - €128.8M
And this ill-feeling between Newcastle and the player is set to build following a report in The Telegraph that indicates that the Magpies have made it clear that any move this summer will be blocked.
Previously, the indications had been that if Eddie Howe’s side could secure a top-class forward, a deal would be possible. With Benjamin Sesko signing for Man Utd, it appears this has sparked the St James’ Park side to take a firm stance.
“Alexander Isak has been told by the Newcastle United board he is not for sale this summer and will not be allowed to join Liverpool in a show of defiance from the club’s Saudi owners,” the report states.
“Newcastle’s steadfast position on the matter has caused acrimony and tension, with Isak refusing to accept the decision with good grace.”
Moreover, Isak is set to be frozen out at Newcastle until he changes his attitude.
Eddie Howe doubts Newcastle can force Isak to stay
Fabrizio Romano had revealed on Friday night that the deal to take Isak to Liverpool was absolutely not dead, while Newcastle boss Eddie Howe himself had said earlier that day that the Magpies face a challenge to retain the striker.
Speaking to the media, Howe was asked if Newcastle are able to take the type of hardline approach being discussed by the Telegraph.
He replied: “If we could do that, we’d have done it a long time ago. I don’t think we’re in a position to be able to do that currently. I don’t want to go into too much detail and I think I’ve probably said enough.”
Not sure this one adds up. Howe literally said the club aren’t in a position to tell him he has to stay last night. https://t.co/IXHswva6hq pic.twitter.com/XDeHNKLQCj
— Jack Sear (@JackSear) August 9, 2025
Liverpool move on to Wissa
Liverpool’s reaction to the claims that Newcastle will not sell Isak, meanwhile, is that they have moved to target Brentford attacker Yoane Wissa, according to Empire of the Kop.
The Bees are closing in on a deal for Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara, which should allow the striker to depart.
Newcastle had targeted Wissa as a potential arrival, prompting the winger to stop training with the London side.
Now it appears that Liverpool are ready to exact some revenge for the Magpies’ stance on Isak by moving for their favoured signing target.
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