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Newcastle players speak on reports Alexander Isak is exploring potentially leaving the club

Newcastle United players Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes speak on reports that Alexander Isak is exploring potentially leaving the club.

News broke on Thursday that Alexander Isak has expressed a desire to explore his options this transfer window but has not formally requested a transfer.

Despite recent talks, no new contract has been agreed upon, though Isak has three years left on his current deal, giving Newcastle a strong position with a £150m valuation and a stance that he is not for sale.

Isak hasn’t travelled to Singapore due to a minor thigh issue, with speculation about his future also playing a role.

Liverpool made an informal approach for Isak last week and remain keen admirers. The Athletic’s Chris Weatherspoon says ‘Newcastle United are likely to want £150m for Alexander Isak – but that’s not all. Throw in agent’s fees, wages and a 4% transfer levy for Premier League clubs and this deal could end up costing £250m over a five-year contract.’

Dan Burn expressed that Newcastle United would be upset if Alexander Isak left the club this summer, following the Swedish striker’s interest in exploring a move away from St James’ Park.

Isak, 25, stayed home with a reported minor thigh injury while the team tours Singapore, however, news soon emerged of his potential departure.

The Magpies have set a £150m valuation on Isak, who is still admired by Liverpool despite their recent signing of Hugo Ekitike.

“If we lost any player we’d be upset,” Newcastle defender Dan Burn said, when asked about Isak’s future.

“We’re a tight-knit group who’s been together for two or three years now. Any player that leaves, it doesn’t help but from our point of view we’re just going to control what we can control.

“We’re looking forward to getting Alex back when he’s fit.”

Midfielder Bruno Guimaraes added: “Of course, he’s a top player and we know everything going on around him but he’s [at home] to do some physical treatment.

“We want to keep our best players, that’s my point, and what I want to say is that I don’t know what anyone has seen but for us he’s not here because he’s injured.

“He’s a top striker, his last three seasons speak for themselves. But as much as I know is he’s stayed at home because of his injury. It’s not for me to speak about him.”

What manager Eddie Howe had to say on Isak, after the Celtic game: “It was my decision. He travelled to Glasgow with us but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him.

“The last thing he wanted is to be sat in the stands watching, that wasn’t fair to him. But I’m confident he will be a Newcastle player come the end of the window.

“Both [Joelinton and Isak] are fit. But we just felt they weren’t ready to play.

“We have a few of those players who are irreplaceable. Your top players are so hard to find, so hard to recruit and so hard to develop.

“So when you have them, you need to treasure them. Of course we’re desperate to keep him as part of our team.

“I’ve had discussions with him, but that’s not abnormal. I respect a player’s career and how short it is. Alex has been really good, he’s trained really well and I realise there’ll be noise around him.”

Sky Sports News‘ Keith Downie at St James’ Park:

“Newcastle want to hold onto their best players – the last thing they want to hear is Isak’s head being turned.

“Eddie Howe is a great man manager but he’s going to have to do the best man management job of all time to try to get Isak into a positive frame of mind going into the season.

“Reading between the lines, the fact he’s asked to explore his options, his head has been turned.

“He’s been left back here in Newcastle, one due to the injury but also because he’s been affected by the interest.

“Isak is one of the best players in the Premier League, he’s arguably the best striker in the Premier League. He feels he should be paid similar to the top strikers, and he’s not at Newcastle.

“If he moved to a new club, whether that’s Liverpool or elsewhere, he would be renumerated in that way.

“The club are going to have to come to some kind of conclusion here – does he get a pay rise? Do they let him speak to other clubs? Or do they allow time and space for the situation to calm down over the next few weeks?

“But you ask me what happens now, either someone comes in and stumps up the £150m Newcastle are looking for, or Isak signs a new contract or bigger money, or he just gets his head back into being a Newcastle player – and begins the season in a positive frame of mind.

“But it’s a delicate situation, this one. The last thing Eddie Howe wanted, the last thing Newcastle fans wanted. Howe sounded exhausted after the Celtic game on Saturday, there’s no sporting director at the moment, they’re looking for a new CEO too.

“Newcastle wanted to use this window to build, they wanted to bring in four players. A goalkeeper, a central defender, a right winger and another forward.

“Eddie Howe and his nephew Andy have been involved at the front of the whole transfer plan this summer, and Newcastle have been bruised. They’ve tried for Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Dean Huijsen and been unable to get any of them.

“Newcastle are still in advanced negotiations over a deal for Yoane Wissa, but he was meant to be the back-up to Isak, not their only striker.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Newcastle players speak on reports Alexander Isak is exploring potentially leaving the club…

@pmal5098: Dan Burn speaks like a proper leader—measured, loyal, and team-first. No drama, just focus. Isak’s future is his call, but no one player defines this squad. #NUFC

@Ginkohro: Even Players need to answer the question instead Isak himself and our board. What the joke

@jonnyehall: Sending the players out to tackle transfer speculation. Not a good luck for the hierarchy and ownership.

@stk85: How frustrating, all players trying to pull in same direction together and Isak agitates to leave at first opportunity, so disappointed for the rest of them. Get him sold asap, get a good fee, reinvest, go again.

@70s_Magpie: Feel so sorry for the rest of the players, Isak has thrown them well and truly under the bus, making them all look stupid. #NUFC

@DanMowbz: I wonder if they players are confident once he is back in with them daily and not got his agent(s) in his ears that they will be able to convince him to stay. #NUFC

@DanNUFC23: I can’t even bring myself to watch these in full. Why have we allowed the players to brief the media about him? If his hearts not in it anymore I want us to cash in, I don’t want him running down his contract and watching his value depreciate while his head has been turned.

@saribk01: I think he is very much aware of the inevitable. His body language says it all.

@BenArmstro69771: Need to cut this shite and be ruthless. Gonna make us look like fools if/when he leaves #NUFC

@dam_1973: No sure they are briefing the media they are just being honest imo

@adbtlr: It’s very simple, the club either need to sell Isak or try get 1 more year and then sell for a more reasonable fee next year. Making the players answer questions on the situation is no good. It needs resolving this weekend. This whole window has been nothing but amateur. #NUFC

@DanNUFC23: Just think it’s gonna add fuel to the fire and make us look even more daft in the long run. Sick of the mixed signals from every direction

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