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Former Newcastle co-owner, Amanda Staveley, has insisted that she loves Alexander Isak and has backed the striker to do "really well" at Liverpool after completing his summer transfer.
Staveley was the face of Newcastle's takeover in 2021, leading the Saudi Arabian consortium as the group paid former owner Mike Ashley $415 million to take control of the club. Staveley was heavily involved in Newcastle's hiring of Eddie Howe as head coach and was also behind the signing of Isak in 2022.
The British business executive acquired a 10 percent stake in Newcastle when the club changed hands, but left her role as director in July 2024. The following summer, Newcastle lost its prized on-field asset, but Staveley wishes Isak nothing but the best.
Staveley and her husband, Mehrdad Ghodoussi, spoke to Sky Sports about Newcastle on Saturday ahead of Chris Eubank Jr.'s fight against Conor Benn, hosted by Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Season. Staveley was asked about the complicated departure of Isak this summer.
"I'm just so proud of Newcastle and how they're doing, and we love Alex," she said. "We know he's going to do really well at Liverpool.
"He's a great player, Liverpool has got an extraordinary player. But equally so, it's great to see the forwards doing so well and Newcastle performing really well."
When Staveley assumed her role, she and fellow Newcastle executives sanctioned the record signing of Isak from Real Sociedad. The Swedish striker was signed for $70 million and handed a six-year contract at Newcastle.
It's thought that Newcastle was attempting to re-sign Isak on better terms and extend his deal further, but the player then requested to join Liverpool following heavy interest from the club. Isak eventually got his wish, as Newcastle accepted a Premier League record bid of $176 million on transfer deadline day.
While Newcastle made a significant profit on Isak, which allowed the club to reinvest elsewhere in the squad, it was a major blow. Howe fought all summer to keep Isak, and the club initially issued a statement confirming that he would not be allowed to leave.
Isak did his best to force the move by training in isolation and even stating that he would never play for Newcastle again. Isak missed the start of the season, and Newcastle was without a player who had scored 54 Premier League goals in 86 games.
Newcastle then broke its own transfer record to sign Germany striker Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart, paying the Bundesliga club $104 million. Woltemade has made a bright start, scoring four goals in his first eight Premier League games.
The club was already looking to bring in another striker to partner Isak, but yet again, Liverpool disrupted plans. Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike was a priority for Newcastle, but Liverpool turned his head and later signed him for $93 million.
Plans to partner Isak and Ekitike shifted, and Newcastle ultimately signed Brentford striker Yoane Wissa for $75 million to play alongside Woltemade. Wissa is yet to play this season, and while Newcastle is performing well in the Champions League, the club is 14th in the Premier League.
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