Newcastle United striker, Alexander Isak has publicly broken his silence on his uncertain future, declaring on social media that “promises were broken” and that his trust in the club has been lost.
The Sweden international, heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, was absent from the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Awards in Manchester on Tuesday night, despite being named in the PFA Team of the Year.
His absence only intensified speculation around his desire to leave Tyneside.
Isak Speaks Out: “The Relationship Can’t Continue”
In a rare public statement, the 25-year-old laid bare his frustrations with Newcastle’s hierarchy:
“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.”
The PFA Snub
Isak’s no-show at the PFA Awards did not go unnoticed. He was the only player selected for the PFA Team of the Year who skipped the event at the Manchester Opera House.
Had he attended, he would have shared the stage with five Liverpool players;
- Virgil van Dijk,
- Ryan Gravenberch,
- Milos Kerkez,
- Alexis Mac Allister, and
- Mohamed Salah
which might further fuel the speculation about his ties to Anfield. The team of the year also included;
- Matz Sels,
- William Saliba,
- Gabriel Magalhaes,
- Declan Rice, and
- Chris Wood
- alongside Alexander Isak.
The striker was also nominated for the PFA Men’s Player of the Year, but his absence doted the growing rift between him and Newcastle.
The £110 Million Question
Liverpool have already seen a £110 million bid rejected by Newcastle this summer, with the Magpies determined to keep hold of their star striker, who is under contract until 2028.
Isak, however, has yet to return to first-team action since his summer break. He missed Newcastle’s season opener against Aston Villa on Saturday and remains a major doubt for their upcoming clash against Liverpool at St. James’ Park on Monday.
The Article 17 Factor on Alexander Isak Transfer Saga
According to ESPN, beyond the transfer tug-of-war lies a potential legal twist: FIFA’s Article 17 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
The regulation, first introduced in 2005 and recently rewritten following the Lassana Diarra ruling, allows players to unilaterally terminate their contracts after three full seasons, provided compensation is paid.
For Isak, that could mean the chance to walk away from Newcastle in June 2026, potentially costing the club far less than Liverpool’s rejected £110m offer.
Sports lawyers estimate Newcastle could be due no more than £50–60 million in compensation under FIFA’s new framework. This is a scenario that would represent a significant financial blow for the Magpies.
While it remains unclear whether Isak and his representatives intend to invoke Article 17, the possibility alone strengthens their bargaining position.
Newcastle’s Dilemma
Newcastle’s options are limited:
-
Sell Isak now — securing a record transfer fee but losing their star striker.
-
Offer a new contract — possibly with a release clause to protect against a future Article 17 exit.
-
Force him to stay — risking an unhappy player whose market value may decline.
The Magpies face a race against time with the transfer window closing on September 1.
For now, all eyes turn to Monday night’s showdown between Newcastle and Liverpool at St. James’ Park. Whether Isak features in that fixture, against the very club chasing his signature could be telling.
