Manchester United's 'juicy' Alexander Isak offer and Pep Guardiola intervention

Alexander Isak's relationship with Newcastle has deteriorated as he pressures for a move away, but his situation might have been different if he had rejected the Magpies for other Premier League teams

Alexander Isak is attempting to force his way out of Newcastle United(Image: Getty)

Alexander Isak and Newcastle United are at a bitter impasse as the star forward pushes for a departure, but the Swede could have ended up a Manchester United player had things gone differently.

The 25-year-old made his intentions clear last month when he informed the Magpies of his desire to depart, and after Liverpool's £110million offer was turned down, neither side has given ground. Eddie Howe's team remain firm in their stance that he is not on the market and will wear a Newcastle top this season, while the player is reportedly refusing to play for the club again.

Since joining in 2022, Isak has taken the Premier League by storm, surpassing his debut league goal tally of 10 with 21 two seasons ago and 23 last season. It's no shock that a team like Liverpool have caught his attention, but he has had admirers in England since his time with Real Sociedad in Spain.

The Manchester Evening News examines all those who showed interest in Isak prior to his move to St. James' Park, including the Red Devils, and why a deal never materialised...

Manchester City's preference for Erling Haaland

After attracting Borussia Dortmund's attention while playing in his home country of Sweden, Isak joined the German team but moved to Spain in 2019 after struggling for game time. At Sociedad, he became one of La Liga's most respected forwards, drawing the attention of many top clubs. One of those interested was Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, reports the Mirror.

Speaking in 2024, years after Isak made his Newcastle switch, Guardiola admitted: "At Real Sociedad, we started to follow him, we were impressed. He was a target. With his skills, all the clubs around the world take a look. I think he adapted really, really well in the Premier League."

City purchased Haaland in 2022(Image: Getty )

City's rationale for not chasing Isak more aggressively? Erling Haaland. The Athletic revealed during summer 2022 that the Norwegian represented Guardiola's No. 1 choice, with Isak ranked below him, and Haaland's arrival even convinced him to sign fresh terms at the Etihad.

The Catalan secured his preferred option as Haaland's £51m Dortmund release clause was triggered that July, with the striker subsequently claiming two Premier League Golden Boot awards whilst netting 85 top-flight goals since 2022, compared to Isak's 54 strikes following his arrival later that summer.

Manchester United's 'juicy' Alexander Isak offer

City weren't the only Manchester club to appreciate Isak's talents, with cross-city rivals United reportedly tabling a 'juicy offer' to the Sweden international that summer.

Mundo Deportivo claimed that prior to Isak's £63m switch to Newcastle, the Red Devils – then under Erik ten Hag's guidance – had contacted his agents, who convinced the forward to reject their advances.

Sociedad never received any formal approach from United regarding Isak, and after missing out on his services, Ten Hag commenced his maiden campaign with Cristiano Ronaldo spearheading the attack, though that arrangement notoriously came to an abrupt end in November of that year.

Arsenal's £75 release clause reluctance

Arsenal were another club that had Isak on their radar before he signed for the Magpies, and they perhaps came the closest to securing his signature with an informal offer.

The Gunners were looking to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front and saw Isak as the perfect recruit. However, when they approached him in January 2022, they encountered some discrepancies regarding the Swede's price tag.

The Gunners abandoned their pursuit of Isak in 2022(Image: Getty)

Mikel Arteta's team tabled an informal £56m offer, which was significantly lower than Sociedad's estimations, as they were sticking to Isak's £74.7m release clause. The Athletic reported that this fee was simply too much for Arsenal, who viewed him as 'overpriced', and Isak ended up at St. James' Park the following summer while continuing to be monitored by the Gunners.

A fee of £75m would now be considered a bargain for Isak, who, after Liverpool's £110m bid was rejected, is thought to be valued at a potential British record transfer sum of £150m by Newcastle.