Report: What Jamie Reuben offered Alexander Isak to convince him to stay at Newcastle

The transfer of Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a British record £125 million has closed a deeply contentious chapter for Newcastle United, but the full story behind his departure reveals a club caught between a rock and a hard place.

While the official line focuses on the financial benefits—a significant profit and a much healthier Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) position the reality is far more layered, involving a dramatic last-ditch effort to keep their star man and a difficult decision that was ultimately made for the good of the team’s spirit.

In the days leading up to the inevitable sale, the Newcastle ownership was not ready to give up without a fight.

On the very day the team was set to face Liverpool at St. James’ Park, with chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan in attendance, a high-level delegation including co-owner Jamie Reuben and representatives from PIF made a personal visit to Isak’s home. This wasn’t a routine meeting; it was a final, heartfelt plea to change the player’s mind.

Their offer was a significant compromise, designed to give everyone what they wanted. They proposed that Isak spend one more season with Newcastle, returning to first-team training immediately.

In exchange, he would be rewarded with a lucrative new contract. Most importantly, this new deal would include a release clause—a formal agreement that would guarantee he could leave the club easily in the summer of 2026.

This was the club’s way of showing good faith, acknowledging his ambitions while asking for one final year of his services.

Yet, even this major concession was not enough. Isak’s mind was already made up; his desire to join Liverpool immediately was unwavering. His rejection of this proposal was the final straw for the Newcastle hierarchy.

That was the definitive moment they realized the situation was beyond repair and made the conscious decision to sell, concluding that a reluctant player is more of a liability than an asset, regardless of his talent.

This decision, while perhaps appearing to buckle under player pressure, was actually a pragmatic one made for the greater good of the club. Initially, PIF had held a firm line, slapping a £150 million price tag on him to scare off interest.

Selling for £25 million less than that asking price could be seen as a sign of weakness, potentially setting a worrying precedent for other players who might try to force a move in the future.

However, the alternative keeping a player who had become a “toxic presence”—was deemed far more damaging. Having a discontented star who refused to play could have poisoned the dressing room atmosphere and derailed the entire season before it had even properly begun.

The club decided that the short-term pain of losing their best player was better than the long-term chaos of keeping an unhappy one.

Now, the page turns. The focus shifts entirely to new signings Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa. The task of replacing Isak’s goals is enormous, but the club has backed its project with significant investment.

For the fans, the process of moving on has already begun. The manner of Isak’s exit has left a bitter taste, meaning the first goal scored by either new striker will not just be a moment of celebration, but a powerful symbol of a fresh start and a clear message: no player is bigger than the club.