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- 28 minutes ago
'No middle ground' - Isak becomes persona non grata at Newcastle
Tom Weber
- Updated: 6 Aug 2025 16:52 BST
- 4 min read
News
Eddie Howe is ready to axe wantaway Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, which will be music to the ears of Liverpool.
The Sweden international has been banished from Magpies training following his unsanctioned sojourn to San Sebastian. Isak returned to his former club Real Sociedad to keep fit while Newcastle were away on a pre-season tour of Asia.
Newcastle officially returned to their training ground earlier on Wednesday, but Isak was not permitted to take part in training with the group nor in the family lunch organised by the club.
Current ETV
Alexander Isak
F (C)
Newcastle Utd.
Alexander Isak
F (C)
Newcastle Utd.
ETV Range
€105.4M - €128.8M
The 25-year-old had to come in later to train separately in a decision driven by head coach Eddie Howe, according to Ben Jacobs. The manager recently said that players have to 'earn the right' to train with the squad, and his ousting of Isak is a reflection of these comments.
The situation is clearly becoming untenable, and Jacobs states that Newcastle insiders believe that there is 'no middle ground' anymore: Isak will either have to leave the club or sign a new contract.
Newcastle resigned to Isak exit?
This sounds a lot like Newcastle are resigned to losing Isak this summer as the Swede continues to push 'aggressively' to leave the club, which suggests that he has no intention of accepting fresh terms.
However, the situation is not as clear-cut, according to Jacobs. There is the possibility of Isak extending if Liverpool make it clear to him that a transfer is simply not feasible this summer.
Liverpool are prepared to pay a British record fee for the striker, but it is as yet unknown whether they would be willing to go as high as £150 million, which is Newcastle's touted valuation of Isak.
Newcastle, meanwhile, continue to insist that they will not let Isak leave unless one or potentially even two replacements are signed. Given the way the window has panned out for them so far, this is far from a guarantee at this point.
If the Magpies continue to block his exit, he could go on strike. However, they do have a bit of leverage because it is a World Cup year. Isak may refuse to play as long as the window is open, but he is unlikely to want to sit out the entire season.
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