Newcastle United’s striker Alexander Isak is reported to have declared he will no longer play for the club amid an ongoing transfer saga. According to The Athletic, Isak is set to miss the opening match against Aston Villa, expressing a strong preference to join Liverpool. Furthermore, he may choose not to reintegrate into the squad if a transfer does not materialise before the closure of the transfer window.
Isak’s predicament is further complicated by claims that Newcastle had indicated he would be sold in order to meet financial regulations, which the club has denied. Liverpool’s significant bid of approximately $228.1 million AUD for the player has been rejected, while Newcastle reportedly seeks a fee closer to $310 million AUD.
The ongoing negotiations will likely remain a point of contention until the transfer window closes on September 2 at 4 am AEST. This closure has been extended by a day due to September 1 falling on a Sunday. In addition, all 380 Premier League matches can be streamed live on Stan Sport starting from the coming season, with select matches available in 4K Ultra HD.
The ongoing uncertainty around Isak comes as Liverpool are touted as favourites to win the league, followed by Arsenal and Manchester City. Meanwhile, Burnley, Sunderland, and Leeds are seen as the top contenders for relegation as the new season approaches.
Promoted teams Ipswich Town, Leicester City, and Southampton struggled during the previous season and will aim to avoid a swift return to the Championship. As for the upcoming fixtures, the season kicks off on August 16, featuring a match between Liverpool and AFC Bournemouth, with Newcastle facing Aston Villa later that same day.