Alexander Isak now told Newcastle teammates he wants to leave as offer expected – journalist

The storm clouds gathering over St James’ Park have burst into open turmoil as Alexander Isak’s transfer saga takes its most dramatic turn yet.

Newcastle’s prized striker has not only formally requested an exit but has taken the extraordinary step of informing teammates directly about his desire to join Liverpool, plunging Eddie Howe’s preparations for the new season into disarray.

This unprecedented move from a player who should be the cornerstone of Newcastle’s project reveals deepening fractures between ambition and reality at the Saudi-owned club.

The Swedish international’s disillusionment stems from what he perceives as institutional stagnation at Newcastle.

While the Magpies have achieved on-pitch success under Howe, their off-field infrastructure remains glaringly underdeveloped.

The absence of progress on a new training ground, stadium expansion, or even key executive appointments has created a perception of complacency that troubles elite players like Isak.

His frustration mirrors growing private concerns within the dressing room about whether Newcastle’s ownership can match their initial bold promises with concrete action.

Liverpool’s anticipated £120 million opening bid, expected imminently according to Spanish journalist Eduardo Burgos, will force Newcastle’s hierarchy into a defining decision.

The club maintains a public valuation exceeding £150 million for their talisman, but the psychological damage of Isak’s very public agitating complicates their negotiating position.

By taking his grievances directly to teammates, the 24-year-old has effectively turned what should be private contract discussions into a very public test of Newcastle’s ambition.

The timing could hardly be worse for Howe and his coaching staff. With preseason preparations in full swing and the Premier League opener looming, they face the prospect of rebuilding their attack under intense scrutiny.

Isak’s 25 goal involvements last season accounted for nearly 30% of Newcastle’s Premier League output, making his potential departure more than just a symbolic blow.

The manner of his exit strategy – bypassing conventional channels to voice his discontent directly to colleagues – suggests a calculated move to force Newcastle’s hand, raising questions about whether any reconciliation remains possible.

Newcastle’s predicament highlights the delicate balance modern clubs must strike between player power and institutional control.

While Isak’s methods may draw criticism, his underlying grievances about the club’s stalled progress resonate with a fanbase equally frustrated by the glacial pace of off-field development.

The lack of a sporting director since Dan Ashworth’s departure to Manchester United has left a strategic vacuum, with transfer business suffering as a result. This institutional uncertainty has clearly influenced Isak’s decision to seek pastures new, regardless of the contractual leverage Newcastle theoretically holds.

Liverpool’s interest presents its own complications. Their willingness to meet Newcastle’s valuation remains uncertain, with the reported £120 million opening bid still falling short of the Magpies’ £150 million asking price.

The Merseyside club’s cautious approach suggests they recognize Newcastle’s weakened position but remain wary of overpaying for a player actively agitating for the move. This delicate dance of negotiation will test Newcastle’s resolve like never before in the post-takeover era.

The broader implications for Newcastle’s project are profound. Losing Isak would represent more than just the departure of a top scorer – it risks signaling to current and prospective players that the club cannot retain its brightest talents when elite suitors come calling.

The timing is particularly damaging given Newcastle’s recent return to Champions League football, a platform they hoped would help them transition from ambitious upstarts to established contenders.

Howe now faces the unenviable task of either reintegrating a disillusioned star or overseeing yet another attacking rebuild under intense pressure.

The manager’s famed man-management skills will be tested to their limits as he attempts to maintain dressing room harmony while the club navigates these choppy waters.

Sections of the squad already reportedly expect Isak’s departure, creating an atmosphere of resignation that Howe must urgently address before it infects preseason preparations.

Newcastle’s ownership stands at a crossroads. They must either make a statement signing to convince Isak and others of their ambition, or steel themselves for a protracted battle to retain an unhappy player.

The coming days will reveal whether the Saudi Public Investment Fund has the stomach for such a fight, or whether financial pragmatism will prevail.

One thing is certain – how Newcastle handle this crisis will define perceptions of their project for years to come, both among the fanbase and the elite players they hope to attract.

The Isak saga has become a litmus test for Newcastle’s ability to transition from plucky overachievers to genuine contenders.

Player retention is as crucial as recruitment in this journey, and the manner of Isak’s potential exit risks establishing an unwelcome precedent.

With the new season fast approaching, Newcastle must either draw a line in the sand or face the consequences of appearing a selling club before their project has truly taken flight. The stakes could hardly be higher for a club whose ambitions now collide with the harsh realities of elite football’s food chain.