NEWCASTLE have hit back at striker Alexander Isak’s bombshell statement released on social media.
The wantaway ace has blasted that “trust has been lost” between him and the club as he continues to seek a move away from St James’ Park.
However, his employers have posted re-affirming that Isak was never told he could leave this summer, and incredibly, a pathway back to the squad has been offered.
The 25-year-old has been axed from the Newcastle first team squad amid his attempts to force a summer exit, with Liverpool desperate to sign him.
He missed the club’s pre-season training camp and tour of Asia before telling officials that he wanted to leave.
Now, Isak has publicly asserted his stance for the first time, claiming that it would be “in the best interests of everyone” if he left.
He wrote: “I’m proud to be recognised by my fellow professionals with a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the season for 2024-25.
“First and foremost I want to thank my teammates and everyone at Newcastle United who has supported me along the way.
“I’m not at the ceremony tonight. With everything going on, it didn’t feel right to be there.
“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.”
But hours later, Newcastle posted their own response to the statement – and made it clear that he will NOT be sold unless it is “in the best interests” of the club.
It read: “We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening.
“We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.
“We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views.
“As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired.
“We do not foresee those conditions being met.
“This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel.
“Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates.”
It is understood that Isak’s incredible swipe is because of a promise of a pay rise — by the club’s former co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi — failing to materialise.
One of the first decisions from ex-sporting director Paul Mitchell was to postpone negotiations due to Isak’s contract, worth £130,000 a week, having four years to run.
Despite Mitchell’s departure and Newcastle’s willingness to smash their £150,000-a-week pay ceiling to make him the best-paid player in their history, the player’s relationship with the club appears completely broken.
But Newcastle’s reaction to the social media post appear to DENY anything ever being promised to the Swede.
SunSport understands that Liverpool have sanctioned a £130million bid for Isak and could table it in the coming days.
Should the offer be accepted, it would take the club’s spending above the £400m mark.
The Reds had a £110m bid rejected earlier this month and have not yet returned with another proposal.
Liverpool are also pushing to complete a deal for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.
They are hoping to land him for £35m before the window shuts.
The reigning Premier League champions have already spent big on Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and young centre-back Giovanni Leoni this summer in a bid to retain their title and go for more silverware.
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