Newcastle United held off for as long as they could, but in the end, had no choice but to sell Alexander Isak to Liverpool on transfer deadline day.
On the bright side, the Magpies secured two replacements Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade for roughly the same combined fee. Still, losing Isak is a bitter blow, as the Swedish striker played a pivotal role in the club’s Carabao Cup triumph and Champions League qualification last season, capping off three prolific years on Tyneside.
Why Alexander Isak Choose to Leave Newcastle
Alexander Isak, 25, has completed a record-breaking £125 million move to the Premier League champions and is set to lead Arne Slot’s squad for the next six years unless he seeks an early departure. While Newcastle United secured a massive fee for the striker, the circumstances surrounding his exit have left a bitter aftertaste. Isak’s recent absence in the lead-up to the move has clearly impacted Eddie Howe’s team, who have taken just two points from their first three league games.
Isak’s scoring efficiency has been exceptional, and Newcastle face a major challenge in trying to replicate his output through his replacements.
Top Premier League Scorers Since Isak’s Debut:
| Player | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | 100 | 88 |
| Mohamed Salah | 111 | 67 |
| Alexander Isak | 86 | 54 |
| Ollie Watkins | 112 | 50 |
| Chris Wood | 95 | 39 |
| Bryan Mbeumo | 104 | 39 |
(Source: Transfermarkt)
Many Newcastle supporters believe the club’s owners, PIF, should have taken a firmer stance against Isak’s desire to leave similar to how they handled a previous exit involving another towering striker in the past.
Newcastle’s original Isak
David Ginola was one of the Premier League’s original flair players. Now 58 and long since retired, he remains a beloved figure among fans who remember his dazzling runs down the left wing and occasionally through the middle. Crowned PFA Player of the Year in 1999 during his time at Tottenham Hotspur, the former France international was among the finest talents of his era. Newcastle, however, only had the benefit of his brilliance for two seasons.
Signed from Paris Saint-Germain in 1995 by then-manager Kevin Keegan, Ginola was part of the ambitious project to turn Newcastle into a Premier League powerhouse. Though his stats seven goals and 16 assists in 76 appearances weren’t eye-catching, his flair and technical skill made him one of the most entertaining players ever to wear black and white.
Who could forget his stunning goal against Manchester United? Yet his time on Tyneside wasn’t without controversy. Ginola once revealed he felt “stabbed in the back” by Newcastle and Keegan after they blocked a potential move to Barcelona in the summer of 1996. “It was no disrespect to Newcastle,” he said, “but a football career is short. When the move didn’t happen again, I had to return. And when Keegan left that January, I felt abandoned. I felt stabbed in the back.”
Ginola believed the Barca move was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. He remained at Newcastle for one more season before transferring to Tottenham, where he spent most of his Premier League career.
The current Alexander Isak situation draws clear parallels. His refusal to play and public demand to join Liverpool made his exit far more explosive. In the end, like Ginola, he got his move after a bigger club came calling. Neither player stayed long at Newcastle once tempted by a top side. But despite the sting of losing a star, Eddie Howe has built a resilient, winning squad and with or without Isak, St. James’ Park will find its voice again.
