Give Alexander Isak Some Credit For His Bold Transfer Stance

In the aftermath of the Carabao Cup final, which delivered Newcastle United’s first piece of silverware in half a century, a moment between Virgil Van Dijk and Alexander Isak caught the attention of disappointed Liverpool fans.

As the Swede shook hands with the big Reds defender, he said something to Van Dijk with a knowing smile, which gave the Dutchman pause for thought.

It doesn’t take much to circulate rumours about a potential transfer of a high-profile player like Isak, and post-game, Liverpool fans began to speculate that a move for the striker might be on the cards.

Whether there was anything in the exchange has mainly become redundant because we learned in the following months that Arne Slot’s side wanted Isak.

At the start of the summer, it appeared a deal could be reached, but then quite suddenly, it all unravelled.

Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitiké, who Newcastle was pursuing as Isak’s replacement, joined Liverpool, and the transfer looked dead.

Then, out of nowhere, stories in the media emerged suggesting that Isak wanted to “explore options” away from St James’ Park.

The Swedish talisman was not included in the travelling party for a tour of the Far East, which fuelled speculation and created some embarrassing moments for manager Eddie Howe.

“Of course, there are things going on behind the scenes,” he admitted after a 3-2 friendly defeat to Arsenal.

“He will be aware he is in the news every day and I’m sure that is not easy for anyone in that situation. Conversations that happen with Alex and the club, or Alex and myself, will stay private for obvious reasons.

“We do share a good relationship. He has been magnificent for us since he joined. He’s very popular in the dressing room.

“We would love him to continue his journey at Newcastle. Although, whatever happens has to be right for Newcastle.”

“Hopefully, he’ll be back soon and playing in the black and white shirt. That’s what we all want to see.”

As Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer pointed out, it’s a tricky situation for the club, arguably one the club has mishandled by claiming he wasn’t travelling to Asia due to an injury.

“If they thought people wouldn’t see through that,” Shearer told Betfair, “it was disappointing. They should’ve just told the truth straight away. I understand it’s a very difficult situation for them but it is what it is.

“Eddie Howe has to use all his persuasive powers to do what he can and try to make him stay at least one more year. If that can’t happen, then it is what it is.

“You have to get the very best deal for the football club and if someone is prepared to pay north of £150million, and if he really, really wants to go, you can’t step in his way.

“Isak has been brilliant for Newcastle, helped us achieve our dream of winning a trophy and if there’s no way whatsoever that he can be persuaded to stay at Newcastle, then they have to get the best deal possible and if someone’s prepared to pay what they want, you have to say thank you and build for the future.

“There’s no individual bigger than the football club.”

Facing the media, Howe has maintained a diplomatic stance.

“The manager, of course, has an opinion, but ultimately the decision will rest with the board,” he said.

When asked if Isak would stay directly, he said, “I certainly hope he stays, and I said I was confident he would stay.

“I don’t see anything that will change that opinion of mine at the moment – but it’s football and who knows what the future may bring?

“We are in a very strong position financially.

“We are determined to be successful, be ambitious. We have got a great season ahead of us and we need to add to the squad and continue to improve. The journey will continue in an upward trajectory and that’s what we all want.”

As Guardian journalist Jonathan Wilson pointed out in his column, Isak’s problem is that the major striking moves of the transfer window have already been made.

He wrote: “If Isak wanted to leave Newcastle – and he was considering his future in the final weeks of last season – why wait until after Liverpool signed Hugo Ekitiké and Chelsea acquired Liam Delap and João Pedro, as well as for Arsenal’s move for Viktor Gyökeres to be at an extremely advanced stage, to make that public?

“Does the scarcity of centre-forwards on the market push his price up? Or does the fact that potential suitors have no burning need for a striker reduce it?”

Wilson is unfair in his reading of the situation. We have no idea what was happening behind the scenes, whether promises were broken or stances were too hardline.

I read the revelation that Isak wanted to leave not as an impulsive move from an undecided man but as the angry reaction of someone at the end of their tether.

If it was the case that he was greeting Van Dijk at the Carabao Cup final in March as a man he hoped to join next season as a team-mate, you could understand his frustration if that fell apart.