Newcastle broke their promise, Isak broke up

Isak wants to leave Newcastle.

When Newcastle did not extend Isak’s contract as implicitly agreed in the summer of 2024, the question became not “if” but “when”. Now, at the age of 25, with the peak of his career ahead of him, Isak has told the board that he wants to leave.

Liverpool, desperate to bolster their attack, are ready to break the British transfer record with a fee of around £150m for the Swedish striker.

The problem starts with a broken promise.

According to Mail Sport , former co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi had assured Isak and his agent in March 2024 that a new contract, with a significantly improved salary, would be agreed soon. But the departure of the power couple in July and a change in the management structure saw those promises dashed. Chief executive Darren Eales brought in Paul Mitchell as sporting director and Mitchell, on the basis of “financial soundness”, argued that Isak had four years left on his contract and was already among the highest earners at the club.

This “bookish” decision does not take into account the human element. Isak, as the number one striker, feels undervalued by the Premier League average. In all fairness, Isak – who has scored 54 goals in 86 games for Newcastle – is now behind only top scorers like Erling Haaland (52 goals in 67 games for Man City) and Mohamed Salah (49 goals in 89 games in the last two seasons). That is a scoring rate that any club would appreciate.

Isak’s frustration is understandable, especially after a slow start to last season – scoring just one goal in his first seven games. Eddie Howe, who rarely criticises his players publicly, sent a straightforward message: “If a player has big ambitions, they have to show them on the pitch. It’s a two-way street: the club supports the player, and the player has to do his job.”

However, Howe's management skills and the spirit of unity in the dressing room helped Newcastle end the season with historic success - the English League Cup (Carabao Cup), the first domestic title in 70 years. Ironically, Isak was the one who scored in the final victory over Liverpool 2-1, proving his importance to the "Chich choe".

Newcastle have not given Isak a pay rise.

Isak’s problem is not just about money. He and many other key players want to see Newcastle with real ambition: big signings, modern facilities, and a long-term plan to compete for trophies. But the reality is that, with the Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR) in place, Newcastle have been forced to be cautious in the transfer market. This is in contrast to the boom that fans and players themselves expected after Saudi Arabia invested in the club.

Last season, Isak scored 27 goals in all competitions, but signs of a rift were clear when he withdrew from a crucial game against Arsenal due to “muscle fatigue”. Although medical reasons were confirmed, many believed Isak’s mind was no longer at St James’ Park.

Liverpool and the 150 million pound blockbuster scenario

Liverpool, who are rebuilding under Arne Slot, see Isak as the perfect fit. £150m - a Premier League record - is on the table, provided they can sell a few stars to balance the books. For Isak, the aim is not just to play in the Champions League, but to win the title - something Newcastle are unlikely to secure in the next 2-3 years.

Isak has three years left on his contract, so Newcastle could make it difficult to keep him. However, keeping a player who is no longer committed could be a big risk. Insiders say the club have already started looking for a replacement, with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko a top target, alongside a £35m bid for Brentford's Yoane Wissa.

Isak was one of the best strikers in the Premier League last season.

Isak is not the type to cause trouble behind the scenes. He is calm, funny and well-liked by his teammates. He was the one who “incited” Bruno Guimaraes to sing “He hates f****** Sunderland” during the Carabao Cup parade in front of 100,000 fans. But for Isak, time is ticking. He turns 26 in September, and this is the stage where he wants to take things to the next level.

Newcastle’s dilemma is clear: either sell Isak for a record fee and strengthen the squad; or keep him, but risk a season of simmering “civil war” in the dressing room. Eddie Howe, in his latest statement, insisted Isak was “happy with his teammates and the coaching staff”, but his silence on the future is the clearest answer.

If Isak is still “injured in the thigh” when the Premier League kicks off in mid-August, fans will know that the cause is more than just medical. It will be a sign that Newcastle have lost their best striker – at least in his mind.

Alexander Isak, with a goal-per-game ratio of 0.63 for Newcastle, is one of the best number nines in Europe at the moment. But football is not just about numbers, it is about a shared ambition between a player and a club. Newcastle have failed to deliver that, and if they lose Isak to Liverpool it would be a huge setback for the long-term project at St James' Park.

Source: https://znews.vn/newcastle-that-hua-isak-dut-tinh-post1571471.html