Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has said on social media that his relationship with the club “can’t continue” amid his desire to leave the side and his prolonged absence from the squad.
Newcastle subsequently responded to the striker on Tuesday, saying that they were “disappointed” by Isak’s post and that they do not foresee him leaving the club.
Isak was not present at Tuesday’s PFA awards, where he was the only Newcastle player to be named in the Premier League team of the season.
On August 1, Premier League champions Liverpool saw an official bid worth a guaranteed £110m rebuffed by Newcastle, whose position so far has been that the 25-year-old is not for sale.
The Athletic reported on August 11 that Isak is adamant he will never represent Newcastle again and that even if the club refuse to sell him and he remains on Tyneside when the transfer window closes, Isak regards his career at St James’s Park as finished and has no desire to reintegrate into the squad.
The Sweden international did not travel with the side for their pre-season tour in Asia and was not in the squad for Saturday’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa.
Addressing the situation publicly for the first time this summer, Isak wrote on social media that “broken promises” had led to the breakdown of his relationship with the club.
“I’m proud to be recognised by my fellow professionals with a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season for 2024/25,” Isak wrote on his Instagram story.
“First and foremost I want to thank my teammates and everyone at Newcastle United who has supported me along the way.
“I’m not at the ceremony tonight. With everything going on, it didn’t feel right to be there.
“I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn’t reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.
“The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.
“When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue. That’s where things are for me right now and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.”
In response, Newcastle released a club statement, saying that the criteria for a sale has not been met and they remain open to Isak rejoining the squad.
“We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening,” said the club.
“We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.
“We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views. As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired.
“We do not foresee those conditions being met.
“This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates.”
Isak scored 27 goals in all competitions last season, including one in the Carabao Cup final as Newcastle beat Liverpool 2-1 and ended their 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.
What has The Athletic reported on ‘promises’ made to Isak?
The Athletic reported on July 30 that minority owner Amanda Staveley discussed a new contract with Isak’s camp over several months before she left the club in July last year.
When Paul Mitchell joined the club as sporting director that summer he did not believe the club had the PSR capacity to extend the striker’s contract and so the talks were postponed.
Isak still had four years remaining on his deal and, on a salary of over £150,000 a week, was already firmly among Newcastle’s highest earners.
The Athletic was told that key decision-makers at the top of the club were “aligned” in coming to this view, though not everyone at the club agreed with the approach.
Newcastle decided to wait until they had strengthened their PSR position before revisiting the issue.
Having finished fifth in the Premier League, qualified again for the Champions League and sold Miguel Almiron, Lloyd Kelly and Sean Longstaff, Newcastle are now in a space whereby they could offer Isak a deal which would comfortably make him the best-paid player in the club’s history.
People at Newcastle claim this was communicated to Isak’s camp, that they stressed how important he is to the club’s ambitions, and that they understood talks would be picked up this summer instead.
However, other people familiar with the situation say this change of approach — and change in tone after the TLC of the Staveley era — was a significant turning point. Isak’s position hardened, a position which was relayed to Newcastle on several occasions. There was no fallout with Eddie Howe, but rather appreciation. There was no animosity towards PIF. But there was a determined view that to compete for the very highest honours — and be paid accordingly — it was time for him to move on.
(George Wood/Getty Images)
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