Alexander Isak has been the big talking point ahead of the summer window, as there have been reports stating the striker could be on the move. Newcastle United are now eager to part ways with their striker despite suggestions of their need to sell this summer to stay on the right side of PSR.
Yet, the Magpies are eager to find other solutions than selling stars like Isak to one of their direct rivals. The big suggestion earlier was that the Swede might stay on if Newcastle United qualified for the Champions League, and with two games remaining in the season, Eddie Howe’s men are on course to do just that.
There’s big interest from the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool in the Swedish striker, with both those teams doing plenty of groundwork in the background. Yet, Newcastle United are ready to price out Liverpool with an exorbitant asking price for the Swedish striker.
There are suggestions of an asking rate of around £150 million which has blown away to Arsenal’s chances to land Isak. For now, the striker is coy on his future, although things could change once the season ends, as he might sit down to evaluate the long-term prospects of staying at Newcastle United.
Former Newcastle United player Chris Waddle has now warned the club via his comments on Football Insider that there could be a case that Isak takes a worrying stance over his future. Waddle insisted that Isak could push for a move amid interest from the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool.
Waddle said, “He’s had a good season and I can see why he’s under demand and see why teams like Arsenal are desperate to get him, and he fits the bill as the number nine, modern-day number nine.
“So, I can see why a lot of clubs, Liverpool I’ve heard, are very keen on him, you can see why people are interested in.
“If he decides to say, I’ve had enough in the North East, I want to move to London or I want to move somewhere else, it’s down to him.
“Yes, the club could say we want a certain amount of money for you, but it’s down to him to say, look, I’ve enjoyed it, but I want to move on.
“Or look, I’m very happy here. I’m signing a new deal. I’m very happy to stay in Newcastle. I’m playing every week. I’m the number nine. And I’m enjoying up here. Now that’s what the fans wanna hear.
“Whether he say’s that? We’ll wait and see, but he will again, like [Matheus] Cunha, will be in demand, not just in England.”
There’s a case for what Waddle suggests about Isak, as the striker’s silence so far should not be seen as an affirmation of his staying at the club. While Arsenal are moving closer to signing Viktor Gyokeres, one cannot rule out the Gunners reigniting a chase for Isak.
The same might be said of Liverpool, who are not linked with a new striker yet. Should Isak force a move through, there might be a case of his asking price dropping significantly as Newcastle United will then view the upcoming window as the best one to make the sale, and even then he could cost £100 million or more at the very least.
