NEWCASTLE striker Alexander Isak has claimed that "trust has been lost" between him and the club as he continues to seek a move away from St James' Park.
The 25-year-old has been axed from the Newcastle first team squad amid his attempts to force a summer exit, with Liverpool known to be interested.
He missed the club's pre-season training camp and tour of Asia before telling officials that he wanted to leave.
Now, Isak has publicly asserted his stance for the first time, claiming that it would be "in the best interests of everyone" if he left.
He wrote: "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.
"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."
It is understood that Isak’s incredible swipe is because of a promise of a pay rise — by the club’s former co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi — failing to materialise.
One of the first decisions from ex-sporting director Paul Mitchell was to postpone negotiations due to Isak’s contract, worth £130,000 a week, having four years to run.
Despite Mitchell’s departure and Newcastle’s willingness to smash their £150,000-a-week pay ceiling to make him the best-paid player in their history, the player’s relationship with the club appears completely broken.
SunSport understands that Liverpool have sanctioned a £130million bid for Isak and could table it in the coming days.
Should the offer be accepted, it would take the club's spending above the £400m mark.
The Reds had a £110m bid rejected last month and have not yet returned with another proposal.
Liverpool are also pushing to complete a deal for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.
They are hoping to land him for £35m before the window shuts.
The reigning Premier League champions have already spent big on Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and young centre-back Giovanni Leoni this summer in a bid to retain their title and go for more silverware.