ALEXANDER ISAK has seen his relationship with Newcastle hit rock-bottom following a bombshell transfer statement.
The striker is desperate to join Liverpool before deadline day, with SunSport exclusively revealing their plans for a record £130million swoop next week.
PAThere are six possible options for Alexander Isak this summer after his bombshell statement[/caption]
Isak blasted Toon last night, claiming that “trust has been lost” while demanding his switch to Anfield.
In response, Newcastle hit back by insisting the Swede will not be sold unless it is “in the best interests” of the club.
But just how will Isak’s transfer showdown play out?
Here, SunSport’s Anthony Chapman examines six ways it could end for the Newcastle misfit…
SOLD TO LIVERPOOL
The ideal ending for Isak is to get his move to Anfield.
Liverpool are determined to sign him despite already landing Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz.
But the Reds insist they will not pay beyond their means.
The champs are happy to pay £130m, but if Newcastle demand a penny more it could scupper the entire move.
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STRIKE FOR THE YEAR
Isak has downed his tools and is refusing to train or play.
That’s despite having three years left on his contract.
Betfair – Isak to sign before 2nd September 2025
Not to sign or agree a contract with any other club 4/6
Liverpool 8/11
Any Saudi Pro League Club 25/1
PSG 40/1
Arsenal 66/1
Real Madrid 66/1
Chelsea 66/1
Barcelona 80/1
Man United 100/1
If a move to Liverpool doesn’t occur, it could see Isak rot in the reserves for at least the next 12 months.
But once his year in solitary is over, the door would likely be open for him to finally quit – with clubs like Barcelona and Bayern Munich possibly needing a new striker next summer.
Carlos Tevez famously went on strike at Man City in 2011 after refusing to come on as a sub under Roberto Mancini.
He even returned to Argentina after refusing to play for City again.
But Tevez eventually came back into the fold after issuing a full apology.
RESOLVE AND PAY RISE
Newcastle’s dream ending, for the players AND Howe.
The only way back for Isak, in the eyes of fans, is to sign a new contract.
That would reaffirm his commitment to the club.
But it would likely end his chances of ever leaving in a big-money move.
Wayne Rooney was in a similar predicament when he nearly joined Chelsea in 2014, only to change his mind and commit himself to Man United on fresh terms.
Shearer’s thoughts on Isak
Alan Shearer told The Rest Is Football podcast:
“Isak’s got three years left. You can’t not train or play. You’re being paid by the football club.
“Whatever reason, whatever hump you’ve got, you still have a duty to the other players because of that contract, and to the football club, to go and train and go and play.
“There’s a way of getting out of a football club, and refusing to train and play is not the right way.”
When asked by Gary Lineker if Isak’s situation mirrored that of Alexander-Arnold in his final months at Anfield, Shearer replied: “You can’t compare them at all.
“Trent came to the end of his contract, he didn’t refuse to play, he didn’t refuse to train.
“And then was well within his rights to leave. Isak’s got three years left on his contract. It doesn’t take a genius to work that out.
“I sat down with him five, six months ago and I didn’t see this in him. I thought he was a manager’s dream, the way he spoke.”
“So obviously something has massively upset him and we don’t know that. But those two circumstances, Trent and Isak, are totally different.”
STAY A YEAR, SELL TO NON-RIVAL
Another solution could be for Isak to put aside his issues and agree to stay for a year.
This would then see Newcastle sell the Swede next summer at a set price.
However, the door may only be open to a non-rival club in order for Toon to protect their interests in the Premier League.
One past example was Luka Modric’s move from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2012, when the previous year saw him push to join London rivals Chelsea.
Isak to Liverpool transfer saga timeline
JANUARY: First links to Liverpool emerge
FEBRUARY: £150million record fee mooted
MARCH: Isak denies Newcastle contract talk
APRIL: Eddie Howe hails Isak as “very professional.”
MAY: Howe insists Isak will not be sold
Last match in Newcastle shirt
JUNE: Transfer links to Liverpool heat up
JULY: Flies with Newcastle for Austria training camp
Left out of Celtic friendly
Liverpool hijack Toon’s Hugo Ekitike deal after making Isak enquiry
Doesn’t travel for pre-season tour of Singapore and South Korea, citing injury
AUGUST: Training by himself at Newcastle
Liverpool have £110m bid rejected
Isak stops training and goes on strike
Moves out of his apartment
Releases angry statement blasting ‘trust has been lost’
Newcastle respond by insisting he won’t be sold unless it benefits club
SAUDI TRANSFER
The oil-rich clubs of the Middle East are always on the hunt for a big name.
And many are sure to be watching from the sideline in case Isak opens the door to a switch late on.
The wages on offer could certainly make it a tempting offer if there are no other options on the table.
But Toon’s ownership by Saudi’s PIF, who are also in charge of most of their nation’s top clubs, means they would not be able to use the Isak money to balance PSR and Financial Fair Play numbers.
LOAN EXIT
A final way out for Isak could be a temporary one.
A loan move would allow him and Newcastle to part ways and put their issues on hold for one season.
Then next summer, the two parties can meet with all cards already on the table.
Victor Osimhen had a similar situation last year as he eventually moved from Napoli to Galatasaray, while Marcus Rashford ditched Man Utd for Aston Villa before joining Barcelona.
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