Alexander Isak has informed his club, Newcastle United, that he wants to explore the possibility of a transfer, according to reports from England. The 25-year-old striker is attracting interest from Liverpool and a Saudi club.
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This summer, Liverpool made an approach to Newcastle United as they looked to bolster their attacking options following the appointment of Arne Slot.
With Mohamed Salah approaching the twilight of his Anfield career and uncertainty surrounding the futures of Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz, Liverpool identified Alexander Isak as a top target. The Swedish striker, who enjoyed a prolific 2023–24 Premier League campaign, was seen as the ideal forward to lead Liverpool’s next generation of attacking talent.
Despite Liverpool’s serious interest, Newcastle were adamant about not selling their star striker. The Magpies, aware of Isak’s rising stock in European football, were unwilling to engage in negotiations unless a colossal offer was made. Consequently, Liverpool turned their attention elsewhere and completed the signing of French forward Hugo Ekitiké from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth €95 million. However, according to reports from Sky Sports and The Athletic, the story didn't end there and neither did Liverpool’s interest.
Behind the scenes, Alexander Isak has now taken matters into his own hands. The 25-year-old has reportedly informed Newcastle’s hierarchy that he would like to explore potential transfer opportunities, marking a significant shift in the saga. While he hasn’t formally requested a transfer, the move signals his openness to a new challenge, and with clubs like Liverpool circling, the timing is no coincidence.
Adding fuel to the fire, Isak was left out of Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia. The club publicly stated that the decision was due to a “minor thigh injury,” but multiple sources indicate that the exclusion was more strategic. Isak is believed to be using this time to engage in preliminary discussions with interested clubs, and manager Eddie Howe is reportedly aware of the striker’s current mindset. Isak also missed Saturday’s friendly against Celtic a match Newcastle lost 4-0 further underlining the growing tension surrounding his future.
Newcastle United, meanwhile, remain firm in their stance. The club’s ownership backed by Saudi investment via the Public Investment Fund (PIF) is under no financial pressure to sell. Isak, who joined from Real Sociedad in 2022 for a then club-record fee of around £63 million, has since developed into one of the most clinical forwards in the Premier League. In the 2023–24 season, he scored 23 goals in 34 league appearances, earning praise for his composure, movement, and technical ability.
That form has not only attracted Liverpool but also caught the attention of clubs in Saudi Arabia. However, while interest from the Saudi Pro League exists, it is understood to be less concrete than the overtures from Anfield. Isak himself is believed to favour staying in Europe, particularly if it involves competing in the Champions League and playing for a club with high-profile ambitions.
Liverpool’s interest could be reignited quickly if the club decides to cash in on either Núñez or Díaz. Reports suggest that Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are monitoring Díaz’s situation, while Núñez has had a turbulent season under Jürgen Klopp and may be considered expendable under Arne Slot’s new tactical setup. If one or both forwards leave, Isak would be a logical replacement, fitting both the age profile and technical demands of Liverpool’s evolving frontline.
For any suitor, though, Isak will not come cheap. Newcastle have set a valuation of approximately €170 million a price tag that places him among the most expensive players in football history. That figure may be intended as a deterrent, but it also reflects Newcastle’s ambition to hold onto their top talent as they aim to re-establish themselves in the Premier League’s elite.
As the transfer window progresses, the situation is likely to intensify. Newcastle will have to weigh their long-term sporting goals against the potential windfall from a record-breaking sale. For Isak, the coming weeks will be pivotal. Whether he remains a central figure at St. James’ Park or becomes the marquee signing of another European giant remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Swedish striker’s future is now at the centre of one of the summer’s biggest transfer stories.
Updated: 03:35, 24 Jul 2025
