Alexander Isak slammed for extreme Newcastle stance to force Liverpool move

Alexander Isak has reportedly told Newcastle that he will not play for them again, in a move that has been branded ‘disgusting’ by a former Premier League striker.

The future of the Sweden international has been one of the transfer sagas of the summer and a significant blow for the Magpies after a great season last time round.

Isak’s fabulous campaign helped them win the Carabao Cup and fire them back into the Champions League places, but relations have soured.

The 25-year-old has made it clear he wants to move to Liverpool amid interest from the Premier League champions.

The Reds have seen an offer of £110m turned down, with the Magpies keen to keep hold of Isak and only willing to sell him for their £150m asking price.

Isak pulled out of the club’s pre-season tour of Asia and went to train with former club Real Sociedad in Spain. He has still not reintegrated with the rest of the squad, with the new Premier League season starting this weekend.

The Athletic reported on Tuesday morning that Isak has told Newcastle he does not intend to ever play for them again, even if a deal to leave during the current transfer window is not struck.

Clearly the forward is trying to force his club into selling him and former Aston Villa and England striker Gabby Agbonlahor is not impressed at all with his attitude.

Reacting to the news on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor said: ‘Wow. Who does he think he is? I can have banter with Newcastle, but who do you think you are?

‘Disgusting. What that club has done for you.’

Former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison had a different take, posting on X: ‘If I was A Isak I would sack my agent on the spot today. Footballers even tho [sic] they have a say and an opinion generally take the advice from your agent. The agent has handled this saga incredibly bad.

‘The agent is hanging his player out to dry for the money….’

Liverpool remain interested in signing the Swede, but they are yet to return with a second bid after their first offer was firmly rejected.

The Reds have sold Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz this summer, while they also lost Diogo Jota in tragic circumstances after his death last month.

Hugo Ekitike has arrived, but the champions may well need another signing up front as they look to compete on multiple fronts this season.

Captain Virgil van Dijk certainly thinks so, making his feelings clear after Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The Dutchman told talkSPORT at Wembley: ‘Well, we just lost Darwin, He went to Saudi and we lost Lucho (Luis Diaz), obviously he went to Bayern (Munich).

‘I think there’s always room for an attacker in order to strengthen us, so let’s see what the window brings in terms of the balance of the team.’

Liverpool are also looking for a new centre-back, heavily linked with Crystal Palace and England star Marc Guehi, while they are looking at Parma teenager Giovanni Leoni as another option.