Liverpool boss Arne Slot reveals he withdrew Alexander Isak at half-time against Eintracht Frankfurt because the striker had felt discomfort in his groin.
Arne Slot has no hair left to lose but the man celebrating his 47th birthday might have been left feeling a few years older as his Liverpool team put him through the wringer again.
In the end, however, Liverpool were able to make it many happy returns for their head coach – but not before another dose of late drama that has characterised their winning start to this season.
The old cliche that 2-0 is the most dangerous lead in football is being given new meaning by Liverpool, who have lost this advantage twice in the Premier League this season – to Bournemouth and Newcastle United – and did so again against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
On each occasion, however, Liverpool have pulled back from the brink to win.
Such is the sheer force of will in Slot’s side, as well as the power of Anfield on Champions League nights, that there was almost an inevitability about Virgil van Dijk’s towering header deep into stoppage time that enabled Liverpool to open their Champions League with victory.
The Dutchman’s 93rd-minute winner was the fourth goal Liverpool have scored in the 90th minute or later across all competitions this season, with six of their eight second-half goals this season being scored from the 88th minute onwards.
Slot was able to celebrate wildly in his technical area once more, as he has done as Liverpool have won all their games this season in the last 10 minutes and into stoppage time, but even in triumph he must wish that Liverpool would not leave him and their fans knee-deep in chewed fingernails before they can celebrate.
Even Liverpool, for all their attacking prowess, will not be able to perform this trick every time. Their carelessness will be a concern for Slot, even if they have shown five times this season that they have what it takes to pull themselves out of trouble.
“A game like this should not have gone to a late winner,” Slot said.
“I understand that’s the story of this game and the last five games, but for me it is a different game than the ones we played before. We had so many great attacks today where we could have scored the third goal.”
Manager Eddie Howe says his relationship with Alexander Isak changed after the former Newcastle striker went on “strike” to force through a move to Liverpool.
CLUB football is back for the Premier League this weekend after the international break.
After the last round of fixtures, a chaotic transfer deadline day followed as clubs splashed out £375million on new talent to take the overall spending for the window to over £3BILLION.
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Alexander Isak is in line to make his Liverpool debut at the weekendCredit: Reuters
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Nick Woltemade, Newcastle’s record signing, will have big boots to fillCredit: Getty
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Alejandro Garnacho could play for Chelsea this weekendCredit: Getty
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Harvey Elliott completed a move to Aston Villa from LiverpoolCredit: Getty
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While Jadon Sancho was a deadline-day loan arrivalCredit: Instagram @avfcofficial
And with that wave of new arrivals, including emergency loans, the conclusions of blockbuster sagas and shrewd deals, there will be several new faces for fans to watch.
SunSport has taken a look at stars who could make their debuts this weekend, including two club-record signings.
Kicking off the team in goal is new Manchester City star Gianluigi Donnarumma, who arrived on deadline day from Paris Saint-Germain for £26million.
New £18m Manchester United star Senne Lammens could have been selected just as easily, but they can let their goalkeeping do the talking during the Manchester Derby on Sunday.
Alejandro Garnacho, a £40m sale from Man Utd to Chelsea, was not a deadline day switch but was only announced after the Blues’ most recent game at Stamford Bridge – meaning he will be in line for his debut this weekend.
The 23-year-old German looked impressive during the Under-21 Euros this summer, while he scored 17 for Stuttgart last season.
But he – alongside fellow new Toon ace Yoane Wissa – will have big boots to fill following Alexander Isak‘s record-breaking £130m departure to Liverpool.
Isak’s saga dragged on all summer and was on and off and then on and off again, before possibly the move of the summer was finally put to bed on deadline day.
Elsewhere, there are the likes of Kevin, Fulham‘s own £35m record-breaking arrival from Shakhtar Donetsk, Jaydee Canvot at Crystal Palace and Brian Brobbey at Sunderland who could also make first appearances for their new clubs at the weekend.
ALEXNDER ISAK has broken his silence following his blockbuster move to Liverpool.
The Sweden international completed a deadline-day move to the Reds from Newcastle United to become the most expensive player in Premier League history.
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Alexander Isak has completed a blockbuster move to Liverpool from Newcastle UnitedCredit: PA
Liverpool have shelled out a Premier League record £130MILLION to sign the 25-year-old.
Former Real Sociedad ace Isak went on strike in order to force through his move to Anfield and has yet to play this season.
And he’s champing at the bit to get started for the Reds following his successful self-imposed exile.
When asked what drew him to Anfield, he told the Kop club’s official website: “It’s a mixture of what the club is building.
“But what they’re building on top of what the club already is.
“The history of the club,” Isak told Liverpoolfc.com, when asked why Anfield is the place for him.
“Me getting the chance to be a part of this, I want to create history. I want to win trophies.
“That’s ultimately the biggest motivation for me and I feel like this is the perfect place for me to grow even further and to take my game to the next level and help the team as well.
“I feel like this is the next step for me in my career. I’m super-happy that I’ve been given this chance and I’m very motivated to do something well with it.”
Kop chief Arne Slot has handed Isak the historic No.9 shirt, which has previously been worn by club legends Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler and Fernando Torres.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
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MARC GUEHI may be on standby to have a medical in London before his long signing-posted move to Liverpool.
Arne Slot’s mega-spending club are confident they will get their man having spent the whole summer pursuing the Crystal Palace captain.
But his arrival does not automatically mean that Joe Gomez, a £14M target of AC Milan, will be leaving.
For Liverpool continue to be deeply concerned that Ibrahima Konate will follow Trent Alexander-Arnold and leave for Real Madrid at the end of the season.
The centre back, after a difficult start to the season, played well alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk in Sunday’s 1 – 0 win over Arsenal.
But the fear within Anfield is that he already sees himself as a team mate of Alexander-Arnold by next summer.
And Guehi’s expected arrival, almost certainly as VVD’s regular partner would only further unsettle the Frenchman, 26.
Slot needs plenty of dependable back – up cover for the centre of his rearguard and Gomez, while susceptible to injury, provided exactly that after replacing thigh-injury victim Konate against the Gunners.
Liverpool do, of course have a new Italian stallion in Giovanni Leoni, bought from Parma for £24M.
There are high hopes for him down the line and last week received his first call – up to the senior national team.
But at the age of 18 he is still seen as one for the future and won’t be pushed so Gomez could well remain as the got – to guy for Slot.
The Premier League champions’ signing of the Swedish international closes the summer’s most drawn-out transfer saga.
Published On 1 Sep 20251 Sep 2025
English Premier League champions Liverpool have agreed to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for a record British transfer fee, according to multiple media reports.
The Swedish forward is set to join the Reds in a deal worth about 130 million pounds ($176m), according to reports on Monday by The Athletic and The Telegraph, among other outlets.
The Athletic reported that Isak will undergo a medical on Monday before completing a six-year deal with the Merseyside club.
The 25-year-old striker scored 23 goals in the Premier League last season – behind only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah – as Newcastle qualified for the Champions League.
But he has been the subject of a protracted and occasionally acrimonious transfer saga this summer, training away from the rest of the Newcastle squad after making clear his desire to move to Liverpool.
On Saturday, Newcastle signed German international striker Nick Woltemade for a record club fee reported to be worth up to 69 million pounds ($93m) in what was seen as paving the way for Isak’s departure.
Liverpool will have the two leading goal scorers from last season’s Premier League when they pair up Alexander Isak, second from right, with Mohamed Salah, not pictured [File: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images]
He blasted: “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.”
Toon chiefs’ stance was that the Swedish international, 25, is not for sale – although a £150m figure would reportedly have been enough to convince the Saudi owners to part with him.
The club hit back: “We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak.
How Liverpool’s genius ‘sucker’ trick defied Newcastle’s heroic pack-hunters
“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.
“Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his team-mates.”
If they don’t, the Magpies still hold hope of getting Isak to agree to a new contract with a release clause kicking in next summer.
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Isak to Liverpool transfer saga timeline
JANUARY: First links to Liverpool emerge
FEBRUARY: £150million record fee mooted
MARCH: Isak denies Newcastle contract talk
APRIL: Eddie Howe hails Isak as “very professional.”
MAY: Howe insists Isak will not be sold
Last match in Newcastle shirt
JUNE: Transfer links to Liverpool heat up
JULY: Flies with Newcastle for Austria training camp
Left out of Celtic friendly
Liverpool hijack Toon’s Hugo Ekitike deal after making Isak enquiry
Doesn’t travel for pre-season tour of Singapore and South Korea, citing injury
AUGUST: Training by himself at Newcastle
Liverpool have £110m bid rejected
Isak stops training and goes on strike
Moves out of his apartment
Releases angry statement blasting ‘trust has been lost’
Newcastle respond by insisting he won’t be sold unless it benefits club
However, a further boost for the champions – who have also signed Toon target Hugo Ekitike this summer – is that The Telegraph claim Newcastle are set to accept a £130m bid even if they are unable to sign another striker.
Howe said: “I don’t know. I’m not party to any talks going on.”
When pressed on whether Isak would be allowed to play for the club again if a move did not materialise, the manager added: “Yes, from my side I’ve said it all along. While he’s still contracted to us that has to be the way.”
In Isak’s absence, Newcastle have started the season with two 0-0 draws either side of the dramatic 3-2 defeat to Liverpool.
Manchester United ace Kobbie Mainoo has told club officials he wants to move to Napoli.
According to The Mirror, Mainoo – who could cost £50million – wants to reunite with former team-mate Scott McTominay in Naples.
However, United have denied this is the case and are unwilling to cut ties with the midfield.
The same source claims Man Utd weren’t keen on the deal after seeing the impact of McTominay has had with the Italian champions.
The Red Devils would be keen to avoid a repeat of last year’s transfer mistake involving the Scotland international.
However, the England international is said to be “adamant” about making the move to the Serie A.
Hojlund’s Napoli deal
Manchester United ace Rasmus Hojlund is set to move to Napoli.
United have reportedly reached an agreement with the Partenopei for Hojlund.
According to transfer insider Nicolo Schira, the striker’s agent is currently in Naples to finalise the deal.
The paperwork is being completed and the Denmark international is signing a contract until 2030 with the option to extend for another year.
Marseille trying to sign Zinchenko
Marseille are working on a deal to sign Arsenal ace Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Zinchenko is among a group of players, which includes Jakub Kiwior, Reiss Nelson, Fabio Vieira and Albert Sambi Lokonga, that will be allowed to leave the Gunners..
This comes as the North Londoners look to ensure they comply with UEFA’s Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) rules.
According to transfer insider David Ornstein, L’OM are exploring a permanent deal for Zinchenko but talks are complicated by his salary demands.
Simons transfer to Tottenham DETAILS
Xavi Simons has officially joined Tottenham from RB Leipzig.
Spurs confirmed Simons is joining the club on a five-plus-two-year contract.
This comes after the North Londoners struck a £52million deal with Leipzig.
The Playmaker revealed a meeting with Tottenham boss Thomas Frank was the moment he decided to join the club.
Liverpool plan record Isak bid
Liverpool are expected to make a record bid for Newcastle star Alexander Isak in the coming days.
And the Merseysiders are now expected to finally launch it ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline day.
According to The Telegraph, discussions over the potential sale of the striker have progressed in the last 24 hours.
Liverpool are now set to launch a Premier League record offer this weekend.
The Prem champions are hopeful that it will be accepted, although the bid is £20m short of the Magpies’ £150m valuation.
Mourinho to Forest DENIED – EXCLUSIVE
Jose Mourinho has left his position as Fenerbahce boss after failing to lead the Turkish giants to the Champions League.
Mourinho has been linked with a move to Nottingham Forest after the Premier League outfit’s current manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s explosive press conference.
Nuno claimed his relationship with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is not as close as it used to be and strongly suggested he will be leaving the club.
SunSport, however, understand Nottingham have no interest in hiring Mourinho at the moment and their current manager is not leaving.
Marinakis also stated his relationship with Nuno is “solid” without problems “whatsoever” and the two will meet over the weekend.
The Greek businessman also said the Portuguese tactician is the right man to lead the Tricky Trees this season.
Liverpool to make £130 offer for Alexander Isak, Rasmus Hojlund nears Napoli move, Brentford’s Maximilian Beier bid rejected and Oleksandr Zinchenko could be on his way out of Arsenal.
Liverpool are expected to make an improved £130m offer for Newcastle’s Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25, with add-ons and bonuses making it a British transfer record. (Telegraph – subscription required, external)
Manchester United have agreed a deal to send Rasmus Hojlund, 22, on a season-long loan to Napoli, with a conditional obligation to buy at £38m. (Athletic – subscription required, external)
RB Leipzig’s Austria attacking midfielder Christoph Baumgartner, 26, is a leading target for Crystal Palace. (Sky Sports, external)
Crystal Palace have also made an £8m bid for 28-year-old Bournemouth winger David Brooks, but the Cherries do not want to sell the Wales international. (Sun, external)
Roma have made an offer to sign Chelsea’s Tyrique George, but Fulham, Crystal Palace and German champions Bayern Munich are also monitoring the 19-year-old English winger. (Sky Sports, external)
AC Milan are pushing to sign Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji, with Crystal Palace also interested in the 30-year-old Switzerland international. (Sky Sports, external)
Chelsea defender Axel Disasi is wanted by his former club Monaco, who hope to sign the 27-year-old France centre-back on loan, but Bournemouth and Aston Villa are also keen. (Footmercato – in French, external)
Liverpool and Roma are working on the final details of a deal that will see Greece left-back Kostas Tsimikas, 29, move to the Serie A club on loan. (Gianluca di Marzio – in Italian, external)
Marseille are interested in signing Arsenal and Ukraine full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, but the 28-year-old’s wages could prove a stumbling block. (Athletic – subscription required, external)
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is still eyeing a move away from Paris St-Germain before the deadline and an unnamed Premier League club has joined Manchester City among those interested in the 26-year-old. (Sky Sports, external)
AC Milan have turned down Bournemouth’s loan offer, with an option to buy for about £17m, for their Spanish full-back Alex Jimenez, 20. (La Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian, external)
TRANSFER Deadline Day is fast approaching as clubs look to finalise their summer business before the September 1 deadline!
Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, according to reports.
Meanwhile, Tottenham have reportedly been dealt a huge blow in their pursuit of Manchester City winger Savinho, with the Brazilian expected to stay at the Etihad.
Elsewhere, Alexander Isak has reportedly told Newcastle that he still wants to join Liverpool after talks with the Toon’s Saudi owners.
Alexander Isak has been named in the Sweden squad despite not playing any football this season as he pushes to leave Newcastle.
Isak is among the 24 players named by Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson for World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Kosovo next month.
The 25-year-old is training away from his Newcastle team-mates after making clear he wants to join Liverpool despite having three years left on his contract.
Fellow striker Viktor Gyokeres, who scored his first two goals for Arsenal at the weekend, is also included in Tomasson’s squad.
The Sweden coach said: “I am very happy that Alexander Isak wants to be in the squad, he is a huge player.
“The situation he is in is not perfect and he has not trained with the team. But he is a player who can decide matches and he wants to be part of our squad. The World Cup is important for Alexander Isak.”
Liverpool have yet to make a fresh bid for Isak since an offer of £110m was rejected at the start of this month.
Isak has since released a statement on social media accusing Newcastle of breaking a promise to allow him to leave this summer.
The Magpies have denied making such a commitment and continue to insist Isak is not for sale.
But Newcastle will still rue not pressing home their advantage with a full complement of players when the game was goalless.
Set-plays were wasted. The hosts were screaming out for a poacher to get on the end of teasing crosses that were gratefully claimed by Alisson. On the one occasion a delivery from Harvey Barnes picked out the head of Gordon, the forward failed to hit the target.
Digging deeper, Newcastle have had 26 shots in their opening two league games of the season, but Howe’s side have managed just six efforts on target and two goals.
Although Osula got on the scoresheet on Monday night, the 22-year-old is still developing and has never started a Premier League game for the club.
However, if Newcastle do not reach a breakthrough in the transfer market in the coming days, the Dane could yet line up against Leeds United on Saturday after bids were turned down for Wolves star Jorgen Strand Larsen and Brentford striker Yoane Wissa.
It was certainly not lost on Howe that one of the best strikers in the world is still on Newcastle’s books – and how the hosts could have used the Isak of old.
“The quality of Alex would have made a difference in the team,” Howe said. “I don’t think there’s any denying that. But, that said, the team has functioned really well.
“The performance of the players and the team in the two games doesn’t happen without every part of the team functioning well. You can’t carry anyone in this division against any opponent. Yes, we needed to score in that first half when we were on top. Goals change games, but we’re just dealing with what we have.”
Howe said he was “not party to the talks that were happening” after suggestions that Jamie Reuben, the club’s owner, had held face-to-face discussions with Isak while chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan is also in town.
But, one way or the other, a resolution to this saga is finally imminent, with the window closing on 1 September.
FOOTBALL isn’t just about goals and trophies — it’s about people.
After all, clubs don’t make anything, don’t manufacture anything; all our assets are people.
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Newcastle’s Alexander Isak situation is similar to what happened at West Ham a few years agoCredit: Getty
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West Ham had to go through the same with Dimitri PayetCredit: Getty
Dealing with people is a key part of my job as West Ham CEO. And dealing with a wantaway player is one of the toughest jobs in football.
We had our own Alexander Isak moment at West Ham in 2017 when Dimitri Payet wanted out… and the whole club felt it.
One day he just packed his bags, went to the airport and took a flight to Marseille.
That was despite the fact we told him we did not want him to leave, expected him to honour his contract and had done no deal with Olympique de Marseille for him to be transferred there.
We loved him, our supporters loved him, but he didn’t love us back and that’s hard to take.
The fans were heartbroken, the dressing room unsettled and every training session turned into a circus.
That’s the reality when a star man downs tools. The ripple effect is huge.
The press were camped outside, questions wouldn’t stop and the tension was obvious.
I look at Newcastle’s situation with Isak and genuinely sympathise. He’s a top striker, adored by the Toon Army, but once a player has his head turned, it changes everything.
Suddenly, the focus isn’t on football any more — it’s on one man’s future.
Alexander Isak is biggest name in Newcastle but his strike is a slap in the face to the biggest man in the north east
The hard truth is you can’t make an unhappy player happy. But that doesn’t mean you roll over.
The club has to stay strong, because it’s bigger than any one player. Fans rightly expect loyalty, but as club executives, we have to protect the value of the asset and the pride in the badge.
With Payet, we stood firm. We made sure West Ham got the right deal. It hurt at the time, but the club came out stronger.
Newcastle will be thinking the same way. They will fight to keep Isak if they can, but if the moment comes where he has to go, they’ll make sure it’s on their terms — not his.
That’s exactly how it should be. Players come and go. Clubs don’t. That’s the heartbeat we’re all here to protect.
Isak has not been an isolated case — but the dynamics don’t change much. Remember Pierre van Hooijdonk refusing to play at Nottingham Forest?
Isak to Liverpool transfer saga timeline
JANUARY: First links to Liverpool emerge
FEBRUARY: £150million record fee mooted
MARCH: Isak denies Newcastle contract talk
APRIL: Eddie Howe hails Isak as “very professional.”
MAY: Howe insists Isak will not be sold
Last match in Newcastle shirt
JUNE: Transfer links to Liverpool heat up
JULY: Flies with Newcastle for Austria training camp
Left out of Celtic friendly
Liverpool hijack Toon’s Hugo Ekitike deal after making Isak enquiry
Doesn’t travel for pre-season tour of Singapore and South Korea, citing injury
AUGUST: Training by himself at Newcastle
Liverpool have £110m bid rejected
Isak stops training and goes on strike
Moves out of his apartment
Releases angry statement blasting ‘trust has been lost’
Newcastle respond by insisting he won’t be sold unless it benefits club
For a CEO, the challenge is balancing three things: the expectations, hopes and dreams of the supporters, the manager’s needs, and the dignity of the badge.
It’s not about forcing anyone to stay against their will. Unhappy players rarely, if ever, perform at their peak.
But it’s also not about rolling over at the first sign of discontent. The club’s interests must come first.
That means securing fair value, protecting the integrity of the squad and making sure supporters know their loyalty is matched in the boardroom.
In Payet’s case, we stood firm until the right solution came and the player moved. The lesson was that while football is very emotional, decisions must be rational.
Players come and go but, West Ham, like every great club, remains. That’s what we protect every single day.
Newcastle have been a football club for 144 years. And they will be around a lot longer than any one footballer.
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Newcastle prepared for Liverpool to return with new Alexander Isak bid, Wolves try to keep Jorgen Strand Larsen from Magpies move and Manchester United open to Rasmus Hojlund moving to Napoli.
Newcastle are preparing for Liverpool to return with a new bid of between £120-130m for their Sweden forward Alexander Isak, 25. (Teamtalk), external
Wolves are facing a fight to keep Norway striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, as Newcastle are pushing to sign the 25-year-old for around £60m. (Express and Star), external
Manchester United have informed Napoli that they are open to both a loan with an option or obligation to buy for their Denmark forward Rasmus Hojlund, 22. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Everton are interested in signing Manchester City and Netherlands defender Nathan Ake, 30, to reinforce their defence. (Mail), external
Manchester United are hoping Tottenham will enter the race to sign Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho, 21, and provide competition to Chelsea. (Givemesport), external
Roma’s hopes of signing England winger Jadon Sancho, 25, from Manchester United may rest on whether his agent reduces the 10m euros (£8.6m) commission they want for the deal to happen. (Corriere della Sport in Italian), external
Real Betis are still hopeful of signing Manchester United and Brazil winger Antony, 25, but have put the onus on the Premier League club to make a decision over his future. (Mail), external
Tottenham are interested in French attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche, 23, at Monaco and Como and Argentina internationalNico Paz, 20. (Telegraph – subscription required), external
Spurs are also exploring the possibility of signing France forward Christopher Nkunku, 27, from Chelsea. (Teamtalk), external
Nottingham Forest have contacted Aston Villa about bringing Poland full-back Matty Cash, 28, back to the club and have also made an offer to sign Sevilla’s Spanish right-back, Jose Angel Carmona, 23. (Mail), external
West Ham have agreed to loan Mexico international Edson Alvarez, 27, to Fenerbahce and are tracking Werder Bremen and Austria midfielder Romano Schmid, 25, and are interested in Lens’ French midfielder Andy Diouf, 22. (Guardian), external
However, Inter Milan are confident of securing Diouf on a five-year contract in a deal that could be worth around 25m euros to the Ligue 1 club. (£21.6m). (La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italian), external
Crystal Palace will attempt to gazump Everton in the race to sign Southampton’s English winger Tyler Dibling, 19, by making a £35m-plus bid for the teenager. (Givemesport), external
Borussia Dortmund expect to complete a deal to sign Wolves and Portugal forward Fabio Silva, 23, imminently. (Bild in German), external
Sweden international Alexander Isak has been training alone due to the uncertainty surrounding his future at Newcastle.
Alexander Isak has accused Newcastle United of breaking promises and misleading supporters in a social media statement that confirmed he wanted to leave the Premier League club.
The 25-year-old striker said he informed Newcastle of his desire to leave a long time ago.
“When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue,” Isak wrote on Instagram stories on Tuesday evening.
“I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. This silence has allowed people to perpetuate their own version of events, even though they know it doesn’t reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors,” he added.
“The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. Acting as if these issues have only just emerged is misleading.”
Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, right, walks onto the pitch at St James’ Park before the final Premier League game of last season against Everton [Lee Smith/Reuters]
Newcastle said in a statement that no commitment was made by a club official that Isak could leave this summer.
“We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract …,” Newcastle said. “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.”
Isak missed Newcastle’s goalless draw with Aston Villa in their Premier League opener on Saturday, and Eddie Howe’s side are set to play defending champions Liverpool on Monday.
Swedish international striker Alexander Isak has been training away from his Newcastle colleagues amid Liverpool link.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe admits striker Alexander Isak has control of his future with the club as Liverpool remain interested in signing the Sweden forward.
Isak will not be involved in Newcastle’s Premier League opener at Aston Villa on Saturday after reportedly telling the club he wants to leave St James’ Park.
The 25-year-old was the subject of a rejected 110-million-pound ($149m) bid this month from Premier League champions Liverpool, who begin their title defence against Bournemouth on Friday.
Howe is desperate to keep Isak, who helped the Magpies end their 56-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup final against Liverpool last season while also firing them to Champions League qualification.
Asked if he envisioned Isak playing for Newcastle before the end of the summer transfer window, Howe told reporters on Friday: “As I sit here now, I don’t know that. Alex will control that.”
Isak is reportedly refusing to train or play in an effort to force his way out of the club he joined from Real Sociedad in 2022.
He did not take part in Newcastle’s preseason tour, training alone at his former club Sociedad instead.
Isak has three years remaining on his Newcastle contract, and it is understood he will be fined – the maximum penalty for a single offence is two weeks wages – for missing a competitive match this weekend.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has hinted the Reds will submit a second offer – their initial bid was 40 million pounds ($54m) shy of Newcastle’s valuation – but Howe is confident there is a way back for the player should no deal be struck.
“Yes, I believe there is, but of course, discussions and talks would have to take place in order for that to happen,” he said.
“At the moment, I would [expect him to stay], but I’ve got no change of feeling throughout the summer.
“It’s not in my hands, but he’s contracted to us, so that’s why I say that.”
Isak’s stance has angered Newcastle fans, and Howe hopes the striker realises how important the club has been in his development.
“He’s a highly intelligent person, and he knows he wouldn’t have the success here without everybody connected with Newcastle,” he said.
“This is a different moment for him and us, and we’re working through that together.”
Howe said he is also focused on strengthening Newcastle’s squad, regardless of Isak’s transfer status.
Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey is close to completing a move to Tyneside while Brentford forward Yoane Wissa is a target for Howe.
“Yes, we’ve been active for a few, and for whatever reason, they haven’t happened. I can’t deny that, but we’re still actively looking, and I still believe that there is someone there that can fit our requirements,” said Howe, who failed in approaches for Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko and Joao Pedro.
