New low in $230m PL saga explained... and how seismic ruling could shock football world

Alexander Isak’s stand-off with Newcastle United over his desire to join Premier League champions Liverpool has been the talk of the UK throughout the northern hemisphere summer transfer window.

Newcastle knocked back the Reds’ bid of £110 million (A$229.9 million) for the runner-up to Mohamed Salah in last season’s golden boot race, and Isak has kept his distance from the club since.

The saga then went into overdrive on Wednesday morning AEST when the 25-year-old Swede took to Instagram to say that promises have been broken, trust has been lost and “the relationship can’t continue” between him and Newcastle.

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Isak’s words came after he skipped an awards ceremony where he was named in the 2024/25 Professional Footballers’ Association Premier League team of the year.

Newcastle then fired back with a statement of their own as what should have been a joyous summer turned sour for the Geordie club.

Last campaign Isak, who is under contract until 2028, scored the winning goal at Wembley that handed the Magpies their first trophy in 70 years in the League Cup final, ironically against Liverpool.

Newcastle United's Swedish striker #14 Alexander Isak celebrates with the trophy. Source: AFP

His 23-goal league season was also a key driver in Newcastle finishing in the top four to gain a Champions League berth.

Now, the relationship between the club and its star striker appears damage beyond repair with the September 1 transfer deadline fast-approaching.

Tensions with the fans will almost certainly hit boiling point when Newcastle welcome Liverpool to St James’ Park on Tuesday morning AEST.

But if things continue the way they are, Isak and Newcastle may have to repair their wounds, at least for the time being.

Scroll down for our explainer on the saga that has rocked the Premier League.

Red Devils fall short in opener | 02:43

WHAT ISAK SAID AND WHAT NEWCASTLE REPLIED

“When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue,” Isak wrote on his Instagram.

It was the first time he had spoken publicly since news dropped last month that he had informed Newcastle of his desire to explore his options this transfer window.

Without going into specifics, Isak, who skipped the club’s pre-season tour of Asia and is training away from teammates, used it as a chance to land a few blows on the Magpies.

He continued: “I’m proud to be recognised by my fellow professionals with a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season for 2024/25.

“First and foremost I want to thank my teammates and everyone at Newcastle United who has supported me along the way.

“I’m not at the ceremony tonight. With everything going on, it didn’t feel right to be there.

“I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. 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. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.

“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 later responded with a statement of their own saying, “we are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening.

“We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer,” the club continued.

“We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views. As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired.

“We do not foresee those conditions being met.

“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 is ready to rejoin his teammates.”

Man City smash Wolves, Spurs win 3-0 | 02:10

WHY WON’T NEWCASTLE SELL ISAK?

Newcastle do not have a replacement striker for Isak on the books, nor do they believe they have been offered a suitable price for him.

In fact, the Magpies are on the hunt for two front men with veteran Callum Wilson leaving for West Ham as a free agent.

They have sunk their teeth into Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, who reportedly wants to join Newcastle and was left out of the squad that lost 3-1 to Nottingham Forest in their season opener, but the Magpies have not met the Bees’ reported asking price of £40 million (A$83.6m).

Jorgen Strand Larsen, who scored 14 Premier League goals last season, is another on Newcastle’s radar but Wolves are unwilling to give him up after only recently making his loan deal permanent.

Those road blocks came after missing out on the likes of Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool), Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United) and Joao Pedro (Chelsea).

Newcastle have been fruitful in other areas though, signing midfielder Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa for £40m (A$83.6m) and AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw for a reported £34.6m (A$72.3m) last week.

Those recruits added to last month’s £55m (A$114.9m) signing of Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga as well as securing England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan earlier this month.

FILE - Newcastle's Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Newcastle, at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Super, File) Source: AP

But still no striker meant winger Anthony Gordon was recast up front in their 0-0 draw with Villa to start the season.

“It’s not like we are looking at any other area,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said post-match of the club’s recruiting strategy.

Those comments came after Howe told the BBC last week that, “I don’t think it’s been healthy for us”, when asked about the Isak situation.

He added: “I don’t deny that’s been a big challenge. Alex, for me, is one of the best strikers in the world - if not the best. To miss him from your squad leaves a huge gap.

“I think morale was certainly affected early on during pre-season. There was nothing I could do to affect that - it was always going to be there.

“When you have a player that good who is not part of your group, it’s difficult for the players to fully understand it and to know what’s going on and how to react. But, as time has gone on, there has been an acceptance this is the squad and we have got to make the best of the situation.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 22: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United FC and Pape Matar Sarr of Tottenham Hotspur (r) contest the ball during the exhibition match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Newcastle United FC at Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 22, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Newcastle legend and the Premier League’s all-time leading goal-scorer Alan Shearer recently said that it is a “poor look” for everyone involved, but insisted that his former club were right to stand their ground on the price of Liverpool’s offer.

“It’s obvious that Liverpool have been into him or his agent, but to offer 110 million [pounds] when midfielders like Declan Rice, Jack Grealish, Enzo Fernandez, and others have gone for over 100 million,” Shearer said.

“You’re not gonna get a guy that’s one of the best if not the best centre forward in the Premier League for 110 million.

“Newcastle can only sell if they get players in to replace him beforehand. They’ve lost Callum Wilson, so they need two strikers in before they can let him go, and if they don’t get what they want, then it’s pretty simple, he has to stay.”

Liverpool score two late to win opener | 02:50

WHAT HAPPENS IF ISAK HAS TO STAY?

Several bridges will have to be mended, but the last line of Newcastle’s statement on Wednesday morning AEST - “Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates” - shows the club is prepared to bring Isak back into the fold.

The fans may take some convincing after the Newcastle supporters in the away end at Villa Park last weekend called Isak “greedy”.

The same allegation could be thrown Liverpool’s way given the champions have already splurged more than $600 million this transfer window, adding attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m (A$241.5m) and Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79m (A$164.5m) as goal scoring threats.

Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike, left, and Florian Wirtz talk during the FA Community Shield final soccer match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium in London,Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland) Source: AP

But following the tragic passing of Diogo Jota as well as the departures of Darwin Nunez to the Saudi Pro League and Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich, the Reds are determined to bolster their attacking stocks with the acquisition of Isak.

If the Reds are made to wait to secure their target, another campaign with Newcastle is likely to diminish Isak’s value.

He could return to training and playing, but an unhappy player is unlikely to play well, and that could impact the wages he can command.

If he chose to sit out, it is hardly ideal preparation for next year’s World Cup.

There is also Article 17 of FIFA’s Regulations on the Transfer and Status of Players hanging over the heads of all parties, but in reality, it probably spells bad news for Newcastle.

"We don't know where the ceiling is!" | 02:49

Following former Lassana Diarra’s victory in the European Union’s top court last year, prompted FIFA to change their rules around player moment.

Now, they are more player-friendly than the previous ones, which were deemed to restricting.

One such change is that the club who signs the player no longer has to prove that they did not collude with the player to breach their contract and force a move.

Article 17 can be invoked within 15 days of the final match day of the season by players who have spent three years under contract with a club, or two if they are 28 years of age or older.

Things can get messier yet. Source: AFP

Once Article 17 is invoked, the player is deemed to have breached contract, and is free to sign with another club when the transfer window re-opens.

Such a situation would allow Isak to walk to Liverpool for free and Newcastle would be given compensation based on his wages for the remainder of his contract, his value and the cost of signing a replacement.

All of which would be unlikely to yield them anything close to the Liverpool offer they turned down, according to a sports lawyer who spoke with ESPN.

So, if Newcastle hold firm, things could get incredibly messy.

With all of those possibilities hanging over everyone’s heads, it will be a fascinating end to the transfer period.

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