Alexander Isak, Newcastle United’s prolific striker, has been observed training with his former club, Real Sociedad, in northern Spain, fueling intense speculation regarding a potential transfer, especially with Premier League giants Liverpool reportedly monitoring his situation closely.
Isak’s presence at the Spanish club comes as he did not join Newcastle’s pre-season tour to Asia. The official reason provided by Newcastle is that the 25-year-old is rehabilitating from groin and thigh injuries, which they claim prevented his participation with the squad.
Despite Newcastle’s assertions of being aware of Isak’s whereabouts and current status, reports suggest that Liverpool retains a significant interest in the player. Furthermore, sources indicate Isak’s own desire to depart Newcastle, where he still has three years remaining on his current contract, adding another layer to the complex transfer saga.
While Newcastle’s head coach, Eddie Howe, has publicly stated that Isak is not for sale, he has also conceded that the player’s future is largely out of his control. A potential sale of Isak would trigger a clause requiring Newcastle to pay Real Sociedad 10 percent of any sell-on fee exceeding the £63 million they paid in 2022, alongside other FIFA-mandated compensation sums.
Newcastle United is actively seeking to bolster its attacking options as they prepare for a demanding season across four competitions. The departure of Callum Wilson as a free agent has left William Osula, a 21-year-old, as the sole specialist alternative to Isak at the No. 9 position, highlighting the urgent need for reinforcements.
The summer transfer window has proven to be a source of frustration for Newcastle, despite their qualification for the prestigious Champions League. The club has reportedly missed out on several key targets, including Hugo Ekitike, who opted for Liverpool, João Pedro, who chose Chelsea, and goalkeeper James Trafford, who moved to Manchester City.
In a separate development, Newcastle is expected to increase their bid for Brentford forward Yoane Wissa to approximately £30 million. However, Brentford is reportedly hesitant to consider selling the 28-year-old until they secure a suitable replacement. Wissa himself has expressed a desire to leave Brentford, reiterating this to his manager during recent training sessions.
Brentford has not placed an official valuation on Wissa, but estimates suggest he could command a fee in the region of £40 million. Although he has only a year left on his current contract, Brentford retains the option to extend it by an additional season until 2027, giving them leverage in any transfer negotiations for the sought-after striker.
Leave a Reply