All eyes on PIF as Alexander Isak to Liverpool saga takes worrying turn for Newcastle United

Add as preferred source on Google

It will be fascinating to see how Newcastle United owners PIF respond to the latest developments surrounding Alexander Isak. 

For much of the summer thus far, the message from Newcastle United has been that Isak simply isn’t for sale despite interest from Liverpool. 

Indeed, Liverpool want to sign Isak but Newcastle are under no financial pressure to sell a player who still has three years left on his contract at St James’ Park. 

Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan has told Newcastle executives not to sell Isak this summer, with the Sweden international thought to be his favourite player. 

However, Isak was sent home from Newcastle’s pre-season game against Celtic. While Newcastle insist they were simply protecting Isak, it’s clearly an unwelcome development. 

Now, it’s up to PIF to respond. 

• READ MORE: Anthony Elanga addresses Alexander Isak and Liverpool ‘rumours’ after joining Newcastle United

Newcastle United owners must keep Alexander Isak  

If the Newcastle United owners change their stance and sell Isak this summer, it would send a rather unwelcome message to other clubs. 

Newcastle were furious with Liverpool over their approach for Isak and wilting in the face of pressure would suggest the club’s hand can be forced. 

Other top players could then become targets for other clubs. If they know that Newcastle can be bullied into letting stars leave against the club’s will, then it may well become open season. 

Next summer, the situation is different. Isak would then have two years left on his contract unless he signs a new deal any time soon, and selling would make sense if Newcastle hope to extract anything approaching maximum value. 

Al-Rumayyan has never been forced to sell one of Newcastle’s best players. No one wanted to cash in on Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh last summer, but selling them to balance the books was more palatable than letting one of Newcastle’s truly elite stars go at the time. 

Should Newcastle adopt a hardline stance and keep Isak even despite the Celtic debacle, it’ll be quite the statement of intent. Should they cave and cash in, it would suggest Newcastle can be bullied into things.

If Newcastle cannot keep a player with three years left on his contract after qualifying for the Champions League, it sets a worrying precedent.  

Alexander Isak actually agreed he should be sent home from Celtic game

Eddie Howe has confirmed Isak agreed Newcastle should send him home, such was their desire to avoid the cameras amid so much speculation. 

It looked like a strange decision. Joelinton also wasn’t in the squad, but still sat in the stands to watch his team in action. 

By sending Isak home, it raises more questions than answers. There’s no suggestions that Isak is pushing to leave Newcastle, but the optics aren’t great in the wake of so much speculation.

After the game, Howe confirmed Isak was still happy at the club. That is good news, but the ball is now in PIF’s court.