In a bizarre addition to the transfer saga, a video has surfaced of a man, Deepak Goyal, who identifies himself as a 'Digital Snan Guru', performing a virtual holy dip in the holy Sangam in Prayagraj with a photograph of Isak. "This is Alexander Isak. I wish him best of luck for joining Liverpool Football team. I hope he joins Liverpool football team very soon," Goyal says in the video. The clip has since gone viral, with many football fans taking to social media to comment that only this ritual can now end the messy transfer drama.
The transfer saga involving Newcastle United's star striker Alexander Isak and Liverpool has taken a dramatic turn, with the Swedish international publicly demanding a move away from the club. On Tuesday, Isak released an incendiary statement claiming Newcastle had broken "promises" to him, sparking an extraordinary public spat. Newcastle quickly responded, insisting no commitment was ever made to let him leave and that they would not be "bullied" into selling. This fierce back-and-forth has intensified the standoff, with both sides now entrenched in their positions.
Sources close to the striker claim that in spring 2024, former co-owner Amanda Staveley had suggested a new contract would be discussed this summer. However, Isak reportedly grew frustrated as these talks never materialized, leading him to make it clear he wanted to leave at the end of the 2024-25 season. As his dissatisfaction mounted, Isak refused to train with the senior squad and was absent from Newcastle’s opening Premier League match against Aston Villa. Liverpool, long-term admirers, have already had bids of £120 million and £110 million dismissed, but they remain keen, and Isak is reportedly "desperate to move to Anfield."
Newcastle's firm stance is backed by the club's majority owner, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which was involved in the wording and swift release of the club’s statement. The PIF, which rarely reacts so quickly, seems intent on not losing face and will likely strengthen its resolve to keep Isak, even if he is unhappy. The club is also concerned about the message a sale would send to other key players like Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali. Head coach Eddie Howe has so far tried to manage the situation by keeping the player separate from the squad to avoid distraction, but it’s expected that Isak's actions will result in disciplinary action.
With Isak now seeking a departure, Newcastle had to consider contingency plans. The club had looked into alternative striker options, scouting multiple top-level forwards. While their valuation for Isak remains at around £150 million, a departure was only ever a possibility if they could secure two top-tier replacements. Newcastle had been pursuing Joao Pedro, who joined Chelsea, and Hugo Ekitike, who ironically joined Liverpool, making Isak's departure less likely. After Ekitike's move, Isak reportedly became more "militant," prompting Newcastle to aggressively pursue Benjamin Sesko, who ultimately moved to Manchester United.