Newcastle United
Newcastle reject Isak claim and signal no sale as summer transfer window closes
Newcastle insist Alexander Isak remains under contract and say the conditions for a summer sale were
Newcastle United have publicly rejected Alexander Isak’s assertion that he was told he could leave the club this summer, and the club indicated it did not expect the conditions for a sale to be met before the window closed.
The Swedish striker published a social media post accusing the club of “broken promises” and saying “trust is lost” between the parties. Newcastle responded with a detailed statement that underlined Isak remains under contract and that no commitment had been made by a club official that he could leave.
A club statement read: “We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening. 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.
“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 has not featured in Newcastle’s pre-season or in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa, having missed the club’s tour of Asia with what was attributed as a minor thigh injury, and was training separately from the squad.
He wrote on Instagram: “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.”
Manager Eddie Howe said Isak’s future was out of his hands and called for a resolution, suggesting the 25-year-old could end the impasse. Newcastle began the season without a striker after failing to sign Hugo Ekitike , Benjamin Sesko , Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Bryan Mbeumo. Isak scored 23 Premier League goals last season and was voted into the PFA team of the season but opted to miss Tuesday’s awards. He explained: “I’m proud to be recognised by my fellow professionals. First and foremost I want to thank my teammates and everyone at Newcastle United who has supported me along the way. I’m not at the ceremony tonight. With everything going on, it didn’t feel right to be there.”
Bayern Munich
Agent: Liverpool Called Ekitiké After Agreement Reached with Eintracht and Newcastle
Agent Ali Barat says Liverpool called Hugo Ekitiké after a deal with Eintracht and Newcastle Anfield.
An agent involved in the negotiations surrounding Hugo Ekitiké says the striker was set to join Newcastle United before Liverpool intervened.
Ali Barat, who says he worked on behalf of Eintracht Frankfurt, described a process he considered complete until a late contact from Liverpool changed the outcome. “I was working on behalf of Eintracht Frankfurt to bring him to Newcastle ,” Barat told Tuttosport . “I stayed in Germany for 10 days. We agreed everything with the German club and the player, then Liverpool called him and he chose Anfield.” Barat added that the Reds were only hours away from missing out on the French forward, and that Isak would ultimately end up at Anfield as well.
The Ekitiké story was not isolated. Florian Wirtz rejected an expected move to Bayern Munich and instead completed a £116 million ($156.6 million) transfer to Anfield, according to the report. Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeneß spoke on Doppelpass about his club’s business and took aim at rivals over several signings.
Hoeneß referenced Newcastle’s spending on Nick Woltemade, accusing them of using “Monopoly money” to secure that signature, and then turned his attention to the Wirtz deal. “We’re very satisfied at FC Bayern,”” Hoeneß began. “We are the real winners of the summer transfer window. We have a strong team and didn’t need to strengthen it much.
“Of course, we would have liked to have Florian Wirtz, but we’d never have bought him for €150 million.”
The account from Barat reinforces how quickly transfer situations can change when multiple clubs engage late in negotiations. In this case, what Barat describes as an almost-finalised agreement with Eintracht and Newcastle was overturned when Liverpool made a late approach and the player opted for Anfield.
Newcastle United
Dan Burn reflects on Alexander Isak exit as Newcastle reap a British-record fee
Dan Burn wished Alexander Isak well after a fractious exit; Newcastle banked a British-record £130m.
Dan Burn described the summer around Alexander Isak’s departure as draining but offered a conciliatory tone after Newcastle accepted a British-record fee. The club secured top-tier European football and, having pushed back initially on any sale, belatedly agreed to bank £130 million ($175.6 million) for the 25-year-old.
“I’m glad it’s done,” Burn said, reflecting on a period the squad wanted to close quickly. “We wanted the transfer window to close just to have clarity,” he told assembled media ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier against Andorra.
Burn acknowledged the personal ambitions that drive players. “I’ve been in football long enough to understand that for a player the career is short and they have things they want to achieve. I’m happy it’s over. Alex is a mate and it’s a tough situation as you want him around to help the team. But [I] also understand for him what he needs to do personally. I’ve got nothing but good wishes for Alex.”
There were accusations that Isak’s displeasure affected the finale of last season, with suggestions he behaved like a player who did not want the Magpies to qualify for the Champions League. Supporters reacted loudly on the terraces and some branded the striker a “rat” during matches.
“There’s no animosity,” Burn insisted. “As a Newcastle fan myself, you know what Newcastle fans are like; we’re protective of our club and city and you want players who want to be there for Newcastle and don’t want to naively think there is anywhere else to go apart from playing for Newcastle. I understand why our fans were frustrated. I’ve been in the game long enough to know what goes on and wish him all the best, apart from when we play Liverpool .”
Burn also revealed a simple farewell from Isak to his former teammates. “He put a message in the chat just saying that he was leaving, and thanks for the memories, all that sort of stuff, and the lads replied,” the England international revealed.
Admitting the saga dimmed some of last season’s positivity, Burn said: “I think it can be frustrating at times. Everything was so positive last season, so that took a little bit of a shine off. But I’m not silly, I’ve been around football a long time now, and people have short careers, and they want to max out absolutely everything they can, so there’s no hard feelings from me. I think we’ve got two good players in that position now, which will hopefully fill up the goals that we’ve lost.”
Newcastle signed young German forward Nick Woltemade for a club-record £65 million and added Yoane Wissa as reinforcements to replace Isak.
Aston Villa
Seven Premier League exits that could still happen before summer windows close
Seven Premier League players still have time to move this summer as late windows remain open. still.
Several high-profile squad issues from the summer transfer period remain unresolved as windows in other countries stay open. A number of players who sought moves during the summer have seen potential destinations narrow, but transfers are still possible.
Emiliano Martínez looked to have said farewell to Aston Villa supporters at the end of last season but did not complete a move and now faces an uncomfortable return. He was linked with Manchester United late in the window, but United signed Senne Lammens instead. Martínez has been connected with the Saudi Pro League and could still be a target there; Galatasaray are another reported option after failing to sign Éderson.
André Onana has not actively pursued an exit and is content at Manchester United, yet the arrival of Lammens has altered the goalkeeper pecking order. Onana has been replaced by Altay Bayındır for all three of United’s Premier League matches this season and only featured in the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town. A move to Turkey or Saudi Arabia remains a possibility if offers appear.
Tyrell Malacia was the only member of Manchester United’s so-called ‘bomb squad’ who did not secure an exit, with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony all leaving. A late loan to Elche fell through and the left back is currently in limbo, with first-team minutes at Old Trafford unlikely.
Raheem Sterling’s loan at Arsenal diminished his standing and a permanent exit from Chelsea did not materialise despite reported interest, including from Fulham. Sterling has never played abroad and, given Chelsea’s reported weekly wage commitment, a move away will be costly for the club if they fail to shift him.
Axel Disasi arrived at Chelsea from Monaco for £39 million but fell down the pecking order under Enzo Maresca and spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa. Villa declined to sign him permanently and links to Bournemouth and Monaco did not progress. Chelsea continue to pay his reported wages and clubs in Turkey, Portugal or Saudi Arabia could offer a solution.
Yves Bissouma has been marginalised since Thomas Frank’s arrival at Tottenham Hotspur and was even omitted from the club’s league phase Champions League squad. Reports link him with interest from Turkey and Saudi Arabia as Spurs seek to recoup a fee before his contract runs down next summer.
Jamaal Lascelles has been pushed further down the pecking order at Newcastle United following the signing of Malick Thiaw. He has not featured this season, though he was on the bench for the goalless draw at Leeds United, and The Athletic reports Newcastle may allow him to leave this summer despite the domestic deadline.
