Alexander Isak’s team-mate’s stunned reaction on radio after huge transfer announcement
The ongoing transfer drama surrounding Alexander Isak took an unexpected turn into the past this week, recalling a moment that shows just how much has changed for the Swedish striker in a relatively short time.
The current standoff between Isak and Newcastle United brings to mind another transfer story from just two years ago, when news of his impending move to England first broke in a rather dramatic fashion.
Back in August of 2022, Isak’s then-teammate at Real Sociedad found himself completely surprised during a live radio interview.
Mikel Merino, who now plays for Arsenal but was with the Spanish club at the time, was speaking to Radio MARCA when the host informed him that Isak was about to join Newcastle United in a record-breaking transfer.
The announcement clearly caught Merino off guard, and his reaction spoke volumes about how important Isak was to their team.
“I can’t tell you either because I can’t,” a stunned Merino responded during the broadcast. “I mean, I’m not sure if that’s true or not. Now, when I talk to him, I’ll keep him informed. But hey, in any case, it’s bad for us, he’s a very important player.”
The news turned out to be completely accurate. Newcastle finalized the deal for Isak at a club record fee of £63 million, bringing the talented forward to St James’ Park where he would eventually become a fan favorite and key contributor to the team’s success.
His time at Newcastle has been marked by significant achievements, including helping the club secure Champions League qualification and celebrating their Carabao Cup triumph last season.
This memory from the past makes the current situation particularly striking. The same player whose transfer news once surprised his teammates is now at the center of another major transfer story, though this time under very different circumstances.
Isak has publicly expressed his desire to leave Newcastle, specifically hoping to join Liverpool, and has taken the unusual step of accusing the club’s leadership of breaking promises made to him.
The striker broke his silence on Tuesday with a lengthy statement shared on his Instagram account. In it, he explained his absence from the Professional Footballers’ Association awards ceremony where he had been named to the Premier League Team of the Season.
His words carried a tone of frustration and finality, suggesting that his relationship with the club had reached a point of no return.
“I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken,” Isak wrote. “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.”
He continued with even stronger language: “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.”
Newcastle responded with their own official statement just hours later, pushing back against Isak’s claims while still leaving the door open for his return.
The club firmly denied that any official had promised Isak he could leave this summer, emphasizing that the striker remains under contract and that the club must always act in the best interests of Newcastle United, the team, and its supporters.
The statement concluded with a notable olive branch: “This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he’s ready to rejoin his teammates.”
This public exchange represents a significant deterioration in the relationship between player and club, especially when contrasted with the excitement that surrounded his original signing just two years ago.
Liverpool’s interest has complicated matters further, with the Merseyside club having already seen a £110 million bid rejected as insufficient by Newcastle’s standards.
The situation continues to develop as the transfer window moves toward its closing date, with fans and observers watching closely to see whether Isak will get his desired move or whether the club’s leadership will succeed in keeping their star striker despite his public statements.
The memory of that radio announcement two years ago serves as a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change in professional football, and how the excitement of one transfer can eventually lead to the complications of another.