Yasir Al-Rumayyan has already told Liverpool what is going to happen with Alexander Isak
Newcastle United are facing increasing interest from Liverpool in their prized striker Alexander Isak, with chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan already having made his position crystal clear regarding the forward’s future.
Despite months of transfer rumours, Liverpool have finally made an official approach for the Swedish star, who is seen by the Reds as a perfect addition to their attacking lineup.
However, Newcastle remain firm in their stance and believe Liverpool’s actions could be aimed at unsettling the player, particularly as the Magpies work to secure Hugo Ekitike to complement Isak in their frontline.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan’s directive, laid down in the wake of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool, leaves no room for ambiguity.
Reports from March confirmed that Al-Rumayyan, the powerful PIF chairman, had instructed the club not to sell Isak under any circumstances this summer.
It was revealed that the Swedish striker is a personal favourite of the Newcastle chairman, who sees him as central to the club’s long-term ambitions. Given that every major decision at Newcastle is signed off by PIF, it’s highly unlikely that the club will deviate from that command.
However, if Newcastle truly want to fend off long-term interest and keep Isak settled at St James’ Park, Al-Rumayyan must go a step further.
The club is already considering offering Isak a new contract that would make him the highest-paid player in the squad. With a current deal running until 2028, Newcastle have a strong bargaining position, but financial reality cannot be ignored.
Isak is admired by Europe’s elite and could command significantly higher wages elsewhere. If the Magpies wish to secure his loyalty and reflect his value accurately, a lucrative new contract would be a logical and strategic move.
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s preparations for the 2025/26 season are in full swing. Having kicked off pre-season with a comfortable win over Carlisle United, Eddie Howe’s squad is gearing up for tougher tests ahead.
The club’s upcoming clash with Scottish champions Celtic in Glasgow marks the start of a more competitive stretch of friendlies.
Following that, the team will embark on a lucrative and highly visible tour of Asia, facing Arsenal in Singapore, followed by matches against Team K-League and Tottenham in South Korea. Upon returning to Tyneside, Newcastle will wrap up their pre-season by hosting Espanyol and Atletico Madrid in the Sela Cup.
For fans, every minute of pre-season action will be available to stream. Newcastle have confirmed all six men’s pre-season fixtures will be shown live on the club’s official website and app.
Mags+ members can access the full package for £9.99, while Junior Mags and standard Mags members will pay £19.99. Non-members can purchase the entire bundle for £29.99 or opt for single matches at either £4.99 or £6.99 depending on the game.
Financially, the tour could provide a timely boost to Newcastle’s balance sheet amid ongoing PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) concerns.
Football finance analyst Adam Williams estimates that the club could pocket £5–6 million from the tour through promotional fees, ticket revenue shares, and various other quantifiable income streams.
However, the bigger picture includes valuable exposure in new markets and commercial leverage, which could unlock long-term sponsorship deals and global growth—just as last summer’s Adidas promotion in Japan demonstrated.
With no major international tournaments interfering this time, Eddie Howe will likely have his strongest lineup available throughout the pre-season.
That continuity will be essential as Newcastle look to build momentum ahead of what promises to be a defining campaign.
As speculation around Isak continues to swirl, the message from the top remains clear—Newcastle are not entertaining offers, and they’re preparing for the future with their star striker at the heart of it.