In a statement with a tough tone, Newcastle affirmed that they have never lost their promise and the club still wants to keep Isak. The hidden message afterwards was that the public attempt to force Newcastle to sell him to Liverpool failed. If he wants to return, Isak needs to end his current streak before being allowed to train with the first team.
The problem now is if Isak reluctantly returns to coaching, will Eddie Howe still have enough confidence in his student? Howe's high-intensity pressing style requires absolute team unity. If Isak is not really dedicated, he could become a broken point in the tactical structure. Despite possessing outstanding skills, the striker born in 1999 had difficulty "walking on the field" and still scored regularly in the context of increasingly fierce tournaments.
Ediie Howe once admitted that Isak's decision to cancel his Southeast Asian tour had a negative impact on the dressing room spirit. Is the English tactician ready for a player to continue to sow dissatisfaction and internal division? In the context that many Newcastle fans were so angry that they attacked Isak directly. Even protecting the Swedish striker's personal safety is not easy.
Isak knew every bad game would cost him a drop in transfer value. Meanwhile, Liverpool are still in no rush to find an alternative. They could well wait until January, when Newcastle are in a difficult situation and forced to sell, to get the former Real Sociedad player for much less than the £150 million that the "Magpies" are demanding.
Some experts say that Newcastle's statement, although very rigid, also contains intentional intentions. Saudi Arabian owners want to maximize profits if they have to part ways with the number one star in the attack.
Newcastle also confirmed: "The conditions for selling Isak this summer are not met and we do not see the possibility of those conditions happening." The condition mentioned is that the club needs to recruit at least 2 strikers, to replace Isak and Callum Wilson - who have just joined West Ham.
Isak was disappointed when Newcastle were not willing to spend 50 - 60 million pounds to buy Yoane Wissa from Brentford. Coincidentally, the striker of the "Bees" is also voluntarily withdrawing from the "Ball of Wharf" squad to put pressure, hoping to soon join the "2."
While Newcastle offered Isak a £150m deal, they only approved a maximum of £40m for the Wissa deal. Although the statistics may be controversial, last season Wissa scored 19 goals in 35 Premier League games, all of which came from live football. Isak, meanwhile, has scored 23 goals in 34 games for a stronger side, including four from the penalty spot.
Isak has a more comprehensive skill set but Brentford observers emphasize that Wissa can also play well on the left wing, bringing diverse values. The biggest difference is in age and contract, with Wissa 27 years old, with just one year left on his contract, while Isak is 25 years old, with three years left with Newcastle.
Newcastle hope that last week's £40 million offer to Brentford will be accepted. However, at the same time, Saudi Arabian owners also understand that keeping Isak for another year could be a waste. He has publicly announced that he is no longer committed to the team and until the summer of 2026. With only 2 years left on his contract, Isak's value is certainly no longer at 150 million pounds as it is now.
The scenario of Isak becoming a Liverpool player in the summer transfer window is still completely feasible. Similarly, Jorgen Strand Larsen or Goncalo Ramos may join Wissa to St James' Park. If that happens, at least the Newcastle dressing room will return to a state of solidarity, much more positive than at present.
