Thursday brought the news that no Newcastle United fan wanted to hear after Alexander Isak asked to leave the club this summer.
Isak still has three years left on his contract, meaning Newcastle are in a strong position when it comes to keeping him ahead of next season.
Still, Isak has told Newcastle he wants to leave, which is a hammer blow ahead of the new campaign.
Liverpool want to sign Isak, who has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal.
Clearly, this is perhaps the most unwelcome development imaginable for Eddie Howe. Not only are the club struggling to sign players, they might lose their best one too.
Still, the fact is that Newcastle will need paying to let Isak go. It will almost certainly take a British record to sign him.
Indeed, Simon Jordan hopes Newcastle get what they deserve.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Reacting to the news that Isak had asked to leave St James’ Park, the talkSPORT pundit leapt into defence of the club.
While he stressed that this day was always likely to happen, the former Crystal Palace owner said that Newcastle are well within their rights to demand an eye-watering sum for the Sweden international.
He believes they deserve it, after developing Isak into one of the best forwards in the world.
“Not surprised, I said it about two or three months ago when everyone was talking about the undoubted love Isak would have for the club,” he said.
“I said, ‘wait and see if a legacy club comes in and what they’re prepared to do and how this will turn the mind of a player irrespective of how committed he seems right now’.
“I’m not surprised!” “Someone has got to pay the ransom that Newcastle are rightly entitled to!”
Simon Jordan reacts to Alexander Isak telling #NUFC he wants to explore a move away from the club! pic.twitter.com/RibIZ35Gts
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 24, 2025
“So, I’m not surprised, if it’s true. The club have got to find a resolution to it because you can’t have a player that you can make stay.
“The only thing I would say is that if he is going to go, it has to be on Newcastle’s terms as best it can be. Someone has got to pay the ransom that Newcastle rightly are entitled to.
“They’re the ones that found him, they’re the ones that put him in and gave everyone else the vision.”
He added: “This is a very rare breed. This is a superstar centre-forward and they’re as rare as hen’s teeth.”
Clearly, no one wants to lose Isak and there is no absolute guarantee that he will leave the club during this transfer window.
However, it’s time to accept that he might depart.
With that in mind, attention needs to turn to potential replacements. Geordie Boot Boys understands that Newcastle are interested in RB Leipzig forwards Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda.
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey told the website: “Benjamin Sesko is a player who they have looked at before and Eddie Howe really likes. The same goes for Lois Openda, who they have watched and are fans of.
“There are plenty of options out there for Newcastle. The [Yoane] Wissa situation is still ongoing.”
