Alexander Isak’s agent says the Newcastle striker “may be close to finalising the next step” following months of transfer speculation.
The much-loved Magpies star has garnered interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool, as well as Saudi Arabian outfit Al Hilal this summer, leading him to miss the 4-0 pre-season defeat to Celtic. Newcastle want £120million for their star man, who bagged 27 goals in all competitions for Eddie Howe’s side last term.
Now, his agent has revealed “all options” are being analysed this summer, and that an outcome may be finalised soon.
Agent’s Cryptic Comments
Gonzalo Gaitan told Saudi Arabian newspaper Arriyadiyah: “We are indeed studying and analysing all options, and we may be close to finalising the next step for the player. Without revealing any details regarding whether Isak will transfer or stay with Newcastle.”
The cryptic 35-word statement has sparked intense speculation about the Swedish international’s future, with the agent carefully avoiding any commitment either way regarding a potential transfer or new contract at St James’ Park.
Liverpool Interest Intensifies
Liverpool’s hopes of signing Isak were boosted after the Sweden international wasn’t offered a new deal by his current club. The Premier League champions have been long-term admirers of the 25-year-old striker, viewing him as manager Arne Slot’s “dream signing.
Last week, Sun Sport exclusively reported the Magpies would not sell Isak, even if he wanted to talk to Liverpool about a British transfer record fee. The Reds were reportedly prepared to offer up to £120million for the striker’s services.
Should Isak move to Anfield, his transfer fee would surpass the British transfer record, currently held by Florian Wirtz who signed for the Reds for £116million this summer.
Saudi Interest Emerges
Saudi outfit Al Hilal, meanwhile, are interested in Isak in their search for a star striker. According to L’Equipe, the club have already started talks with the Swede’s entourage who have agreed to listen to their proposition.
The Saudi Pro League side are reportedly willing to meet Newcastle’s valuation, with sources suggesting they could offer around €130million (£113million) for the striker’s services.
Interestingly, both Newcastle and Al Hilal are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), though officials maintain this would not create any conflict of interest in potential negotiations.
Howe’s Celtic Revelation
Last week, Magpies boss Howe revealed he sent Isak home before their defeat to Celtic amid the speculation surrounding his striker. The decision raised eyebrows as it suggested the transfer talk was affecting the player.
However, he said he remains “confident” the Swede will stay at the club. He explained: “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.”
Contract Situation
Reports suggest Isak, who currently earns around £150,000 per week, was promised a new bumper contract at the end of last season. However, the departure of Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi from their roles at Newcastle allegedly saw this promise shelved.
Former sporting director Paul Mitchell was reportedly against offering Isak an improved deal, believing the Swedish international already earned enough and was hesitant to break the club’s strict wage structure. This stance has allegedly left Isak “unsettled” about his future.
Howe’s Stance
Despite the speculation, Howe added: “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.”
The Newcastle manager also emphasised Isak’s importance to the team, stating: “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.”
Liverpool’s Alternative
The Premier League champions have subsequently hijacked Newcastle’s swoop to bring in Hugo Ekitike from Frankfurt. The Reds are reportedly set to pay up to £83million for the French striker, who had also been a target for the Magpies.
This move suggests Liverpool may have accepted defeat in their pursuit of Isak, though sources indicate they would still be interested should Newcastle’s stance soften.
What Happens Next
Isak has three years remaining on his current deal at St James’ Park, giving Newcastle a strong negotiating position. The club are under no financial pressure to sell, having qualified for the Champions League next season.
With over six weeks remaining in the transfer window, the situation remains fluid. Gaitan’s comments suggest negotiations of some kind are ongoing, whether for a new contract at Newcastle or a potential move away.
The “next step” could be announced imminently, bringing clarity to a saga that has dominated Newcastle’s pre-season preparations.
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Image Credit:
Alexander Isak during UEFA EURO Qualifiers – Photo by Екатерина Лаут, taken on 23 March 2019, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
