The Alexander Isak saga shows no signs of slowing down, and with the Premier League just around the corner, things are about to get even more real for him.
Isak gambled when he laid his cards on the table on July 24 by making it clear to Newcastle that he wanted to leave. Despite having three years left on his contract with the Magpies, he said he wanted to explore other opportunities.
That stance essentially boiled down to one thing: Liverpool. The Premier League champions had emerged as the only realistic suitor for the Swedish striker and had the funds available to sign him, even after landing Hugo Ekitike ahead of Newcastle.
What has played out over the past few weeks has been predictable. Newcastle have maintained that Isak is not for sale and that they expect him to fall in line and play for Eddie Howe’s side this season. Isak has insisted he is done, has gone on strike and says he will never play for the Magpies ever again.
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Much like in the saga that eventually saw Viktor Gyokeres join Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon, things have grown increasingly bitter. We are about to enter a new phase of the story, with actual meaningful football on the horizon.
Newcastle kick off their Premier League campaign against Aston Villa on Saturday in a fixture that may be awkward for Jacob Ramsey, who is heading from Villa to St James’ Park in a £40million deal, before Isak will be thrust even more firmly into the spotlight.
Newcastle will host Liverpool at St James’ Park on August 25 in their second game of the Premier League season. With the summer transfer window open until September 1, it falls at an extremely awkward time for the Magpies, but at a perfect moment for fans of narrative.
It is likely that Isak will still be sitting on the sidelines with his fingers crossed in 12 days’ time. Newcastle have already rejected a first offer of £120m from Liverpool for the 25-year-old and are understood to value him at £150m. What will follow is a game of high-stakes chicken to see who will blink first.
The game between the two sides will give Isak a chance to take stock. If Arne Slot’s side arrive on Tyneside and steamroller their opponents it will only embolden his decision to jump ship; if Newcastle step up and compete, he could see that the grass isn’t always greener.
The Magpies finished fifth last season and will compete in the Champions League this season. While they have endured a difficult transfer window, missing out on succession of targets to Premier League rivals, they have brought in Anthony Elanga and Malick Thiaw, with Ramsey arriving soon.
The gap between what Isak currently has and what he could have if he leaves isn’t that big in one sense. In another it is huge. Isak is currently paid around £120,000 per week and knows he could achieve much more elsewhere.
Newcastle’s top earner is Bruno Guimaraes, on £160,000-a-week, whereas Liverpool’s top dog, Mohamed Salah, pulls in over £350,000-a-week. Money isn’t everything, but it does demonstrate the gulf between the two clubs, even with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund on board.
Isak will desperately hope to have his transfer sorted before Liverpool visit the north east. He has shown no signs of backing down and has left the ball in Newcastle’s court. Intrigued onlookers will hope the simmering tension continues and comes to the boil when the two sides take to a single pitch in 12 days’ time.
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