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Alexander Isak has thrown his future into serious doubt, and there will be no one more interested in his next steps than Liverpool and its supporters.
The striker has been consistently linked with a move to Anfield over the past few months, with the Reds even making an approach to Newcastle last week to gauge whether a transfer could be possible this summer.
Although that approach was knocked back, Liverpool has been given renewed encouragement after Isak told the Magpies he wants to leave. Even after signing Hugo Ekitike this week, it has been suggested that the Reds would still be interested in a deal for the Swedish international.
If they are to sign him though, they will have to convince Newcastle to make a major U-turn on what has been a steadfast stance throughout the summer. The Toon have remained adamant that Isak is not for sale, although they may not have much option but to soften that stance now.
Isak has already been left out of the club’s pre-season tour of Asia, with Newcastle citing a thigh injury just hours before the striker’s request became common knowledge. The Magpies are also said to be looking at new strikers in case Isak does end up departing.
Whether he does will be decided by Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and not manager Eddie Howe, according to The Telegraph.
Al-Rumayyan’s involvement is said to be unusual as he generally takes a backseat in the day-to-day running of the club, although Isak’s significance means that he and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns Newcastle, wants to take the lead on the matter rather than leave it up to Howe.
Al-Rumayyan was appointed managing director of PIF back in 2015, having previously been on the board of directors of the Saudi Stock Exchange.
He is a close ally of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with the Gulf state’s ruler having appointed him as chairman of the Saudi Aramco board in 2019 after stripping Khalid Al-Falih of his duties.
Following PIF’s acquisition of Newcastle in 2021, it was announced that Al-Rumayyan would be elected as the club’s chairman. As well as his duties with the Magpies, he also manages the LIV Golf tour, and is chairman of Riyadh Air.
Al-Rumayyan is also close with US president Donald Trump, and has been spotted alongside him a number of times, including being seen wearing a ‘Make America Great Again’ hat on one occasion.
Al-Rumayyan will now make the final decision on whether Newcastle will change its mind on Isak’s future. For the time being, the club looks to be sticking to its guns, although with the striker seemingly unsettled, Liverpool will be keeping a very close eye on the situation.
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