There is no disguising it now. Newcastle United’s summer strategy of containment has collapsed.
Their best player, Alexander Isak, is refusing to play, and Eddie Howe’s efforts to “keep the door well and truly open” have been met with rejection. Isak has not filed an official transfer request, but by going public he has taken the next worst step, aiming to force through a move to Liverpool and further souring relations ahead of Monday’s clash between the two clubs.
Newcastle’s hierarchy initially responded by digging in. With the transfer window closing fast and no viable replacement available, they maintain Isak is not for sale: “We do not foresee those conditions being met.” The issue is not money, but the lack of options in the market. Behind the public diplomacy lies private frustration — anger at Isak’s stance, the influence of his agents, and Liverpool’s pursuit. Howe has consistently avoided personal criticism, mindful of the delicate balance: discipline must be upheld, but burning bridges with a player of Isak’s quality would be reckless. For now, Isak trains separately, though a path back remains open.
The situation mirrors that of Yoane Wissa at Brentford, a long-term Newcastle target who is also at odds with his club. In football, moral high ground is hard to claim. Liverpool, having already seen a £110m offer rejected, are expected to return with more, but Newcastle remain defiant. They refute Isak’s claims of broken promises, stressing that no official guaranteed him an exit this summer. Even if he believes otherwise, the way he has handled the situation — refusing to play and releasing public statements — has angered fans, disrespected team-mates, and shown little regard for Howe.
When Isak joined from Real Sociedad for £63m in 2022, he was seen as talented but inconsistent, having struggled at Borussia Dortmund. At Newcastle, under Howe’s guidance, he became one of Europe’s most feared strikers. The club and supporters embraced him, even dedicating a huge Wor Flags display in his honour last November. That bond now lies in tatters. Newcastle fans, long accustomed to losing stars like Paul Gascoigne and Andy Carroll, might have understood had Isak calmly expressed his wish for a new challenge in May. Instead, his confrontational approach has jeopardised trust and damaged the collective spirit the club prides itself on.
For Newcastle, the principle is clear: a long-term contract represents a promise to play and represent the club. Isak’s recent behaviour undermines that trust and isolates him from the very fans and teammates who once adored him. Howe’s intention had been to reintegrate him; Isak, by prioritising his own ambitions, has made that almost impossible. With Newcastle still insisting he will not be sold, he risks ending up with no transfer, no sympathy, and no place to belong — alone in a team he no longer wants to serve.