3 months ago
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Newcastle United's star striker Alexander Isak is currently earning significantly less than Liverpool's new signing, Hugo Ekitike. Despite netting 23 league goals for Eddie Howe's side last season and attracting attention from the reigning Premier League champions, his earnings fall short.
Liverpool made a staggering offer of up to $163 million (£120 million) for Isak, which was promptly turned down by Newcastle. Reports suggest that Isak is refusing to play for the club again, but the Magpies insist that the forward is not on the market.
Premier League newcomer Ekitike joined Liverpool as part of their summer transfer spree, securing a $107M (£79m) move from Eintracht Frankfurt. The 23-year-old reportedly signed a six-year contract worth $340,000 per week (£250,000), raking in an impressive $18M (£13m) annually, after outbidding Newcastle for Ekitike's signature.
Ekitike's salary at Liverpool will likely be a sore point for Isak. The Swedish striker earns $160,000 (£120,000) per week at Newcastle after agreeing to a six-year deal in August 2022, just under half of what Ekitike is being paid despite his lack of experience in English football.
It's been suggested that the Isak transfer saga was sparked by former sporting director Paul Mitchell failing to offer him the new deal that Amanda Staveley had promised before her departure from the club. Isak was reportedly seeking a weekly wage of $407,000 (£300,000) from Newcastle, which would exceed the club's current wage structure.
Newcastle was reportedly prepared to offer up to $270,000-a-week (£200,000), which would have exceeded the club's top earner Bruno Guimaraes. Isak arrived as the club's record signing in 2022 and contributed to ending the club's 70-year wait for domestic silverware last season by netting in the Carabao Cup final.
Wages are not believed to have been a significant factor in Ekitike's decision to choose Liverpool over Newcastle. Nevertheless, the disparity between the pair's salaries partly illustrates why Isak may believe he merits a salary increase.
Ekitike may be collecting more than twice Isak's present wage, yet he is not Liverpool's highest-paid player. Mohamed Salah pockets approximately $540,000-per-week (£400,000) following his recent contract extension, whilst club captain Virgil van Dijk receives marginally less than the club's star forward.
Regarding Isak's circumstances, the striker is currently training separately from Newcastle's first team and is not anticipated to feature in the team's season opener at Aston Villa on Saturday. Nevertheless, Newcastle manager Howe has not dismissed the possibility of welcoming Isak back into his squad moving forward.
"He is still our player," Howe stated earlier this summer. "He's contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that's not in my full control."
Newcastle had already initiated the process of signing Brentford forward Yoane Wissa before Isak expressed his wish to depart from the club.
With Callum Wilson's exit, the Magpies are lacking in recognised strikers, with William Osula being the only other centre-forward left in the squad.
In another development, Ekitike isn't the only recent Premier League arrival earning more than Isak. Benjamin Sesko reportedly declined a more profitable offer from Newcastle to sign with Manchester United, where he inked a five-year contract worth $215,000-per-week (£160,000)
Arsenal's striker Viktor Gyokeres is also out-earning his compatriot after his move from Sporting Lisbon to the Gunners. The former Brighton and Coventry City forward is pocketing $270,000-a-week (£200,000) as he gears up to spearhead Mikel Arteta's side.
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