Best option for Newcastle, keep Alexander Isak and get him into the right frame of mind – Sky Sports | OneFootball

An interesting Sky Sports update on the Alexander Isak situation.

The summer transfer window now rapidly counting down, it opened 72 days ago and closes in 20 days time.

Keith Downie covers Newcastle United for Sky Sports and he states, ‘The longer this drags on, the more difficult it’s going to be for Liverpool to try and attempt to sign Alexander Isak, in terms of the amount of time required to get such a monumental signing over the line.

The bottom line is that we have reached a point where there are less than three weeks to go of the transfer window and Liverpool have only made one derisory £110m offer, which is £40m less than United’s valuation. Plus, Newcastle have also made patently clear they would only consider a (proper) offer if they have a replacement already sorted.

Yoane Wissa is expected to arrive shortly as Callum Wilson’s replacement.

However, with Ekitike signed by Liverpool and Sesko by Man U, no clear options present themselves.

The Sky Sports man believes Newcastle United don’t see Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson as up to the job to be NUFC’s main striker.

All of which leads the Sky Sports reporter to declare, ‘It feels like probably the best option for Newcastle at this stage would be to keep Isak and to try and get him into the right frame of mind to attack the season.’

Keith Downie of Sky Sports on the Alexander Isak situation – 12 August 2025:

‘The longer this drags on, the more difficult it’s going to be for Liverpool to try and attempt to sign Alexander Isak, in terms of the amount of time required to get such a monumental signing over the line.

The word ever since Liverpool first made their informal approach was that Newcastle will not sell Isak unless they’ve got a top level replacement ready to come in.

They tried to do just that with Benjamin Sesko last week only for him to choose Manchester United. However I’d suggest there must come a point when the situation becomes untenable.

It feels like probably the best option for Newcastle at this stage would be to keep Isak and to try and get him into the right frame of mind to attack the season. But of course, they would need to completely pivot his frame of mind. They question they would need to ask is whether they see Isak changing his viewpoint once the window closes. The word is he won’t, but do they believe that?

Bridges have been burned with supporters so it’s going to be really interesting to see if Isak does stay, how that dynamic with not just Howe but also with the supporters plays out in the weeks and months ahead.

It feels like Newcastle need a fit and firing Isak given the lack of options, and Isak would need Newcastle, too. What’s it going to do for his career sat on the sidelines refusing to play? It’s not a good look for him as an individual, or for prospective employers. It can’t be good for his development as a player either.’