Newcastle is believed to have paused contract talks with Alexander Isak after he rejected the club’s initial proposal to renew his deal at St. James’ Park.
Isak has proved to be an excellent signing by the Magpies, scoring 58 times in 100 appearances, and his form has led to speculation that he could move to a bigger club, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona among the clubs linked with the Sweden international.
Isak is contracted to Newcastle until 2028, but a Caught Offside report suggests that talks have been taking place over a possible renewal. Isak, though, is said to have been unhappy with the terms of Newcastle’s initial proposal, and negotiations have since been shelved. Speaking last week, Isak denied that contract talks were taking place between his camp and Newcastle.
Liverpool and Arsenal are both expected to be in the market for a top-class striker during the upcoming transfer window. Liverpool signed Darwin Nunez in the same summer that Isak arrived at Newcastle, but the Uruguayan forward has struggled in England and is likely to be sold to make room for a new striker.
Nunez, who said last week that he wanted to forget about his Liverpool plight during the international break, was the subject of interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia during the January window but Slot was unwilling to let him leave as the Reds chased glory on four fronts.
(Image: 2025 Chris Brunskill/Fantasista)
Arsenal, meanwhile, went into this season with Kai Havertz as its main striker and Gabriel Jesus as a back-up option. Neither player is a prolific goal-scorer and the Gunners’ lack of one has been suggested as a key reason why they are almost certain to fall short in the title race once more.
It was reported by Tribune on Monday that Isak favors a move to Barcelona, but that he would not turn down a move to Liverpool if the chance to move to Anfield presented itself. Barcelona is believed to be closely monitoring Isak’s situation as it looks for a long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who will turn 37 in August.
It was claimed that Isak’s preference is to join Barcelona but that he would not turn down a switch to Liverpool, which sources have apparently said is a club that the 25-year-old has always wanted to play for.
Liverpool is more likely to be able to afford Isak than Barcelona, with the Spanish club having experienced financial issues in recent years that might make signing a player who would certainly cost more than $100 million extremely difficult.
Isak’s power, technical ability, and goal-scoring instinct are reportedly what makes signing him such an appealing prospect to Liverpool, and the Merseyside club is said to already have a good relationship with Isak’s representatives, which could make the deal easier to do.
