Alexander Isak has confirmed his intentions to leave Newcastle United this summer, his call will surely leave one player absolutely livid.
It is a report very few fans expected, and one none of them ever hoped to see. Alexander Isak wants to explore his options away from Newcastle United this summer.
The 25-year-old is coming off the back of a sensational season, scoring 27 goals in all competitions and helping the Magpies win their first major trophy since 1969. Newcastle want to build a team around Isak in the summer transfer window, but Eddie Howe’s plans have been completely thwarted after the Swede’s bombshell decision.
Geordie Boot Boys understands Newcastle are looking to sign Luis Openda or Benjamin Sesko as his replacement, but Howe would ideally like to keep his star striker, who has registered over 20 goals in the last two Premier League seasons.
Isak was left out of Newcastle’s squad for their pre-season tour in Asia, with the club claiming it was due to a thigh injury he picked up in training. Unfortunately, that appears to be a smokescreen for what was really going on.
The entire Newcastle squad will be distraught by the news, but one player in particular will be livid after saying he was confident he would still be at the club next season.
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Anthony Elanga will be devastated about Alexander Isak’s request to leave
Anthony Elanga was confirmed as a Newcastle player in July, signing from Nottingham Forest for £55million. The Swede solved a major issue on Tyneside, with Howe finally getting the right-winger he has been searching for since arriving in 2021.
A major reason why Elanga wanted to join was due to the likes of Isak and William Osula, two of his good friends outside of football. Fans have been getting excited at the prospect of the pair playing together, two fellow countrymen with great chemistry.
However, Isak’s transfer stance has put the pair playing together at club level in jeopardy, leaving fans disappointed. Elanga will be reluctant to see Isak leave this summer and has made it clear what he thinks of his teammate.
“You look at this team, I could go through them all. I’ve been here for a week and feel like it’s been forever,” Elanga said in an interview with the press earlier this month.
“A player like Alex, he is one of the best strikers in the world and we all (the squad) want to play with him (next season).
“I have played with him at international level so I can say that he’s top. “There is always going to be rumours (about him leaving), but training with him and playing at international level with him has been amazing.”
His comments could come back to bite him if Isak does end up leaving this summer.
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Anthony Elanga could be made to play alongside another striker at Newcastle United
Isak leaving Newcastle would be deemed an absolute disaster in a transfer window which promised so much before it opened. Fans would surely be shocked if you told them there would only be one major signing, and their star striker was keen on leaving shortly after all the players celebrate on the pitch after securing Champions League football.
Whatever happens, the plan has to remain the same. Newcastle need to make signings and prepare for the worst with Isak. Howe wants a new centre-back and goalkeeper at Newcastle as well as a striker to partner Isak rather than play against him.
Newcastle have moved forward with talks for Yoane Wissa, with word suggesting a package worth £35million is on the table. Wissa wants to leave Brentford this summer and has clearly had his head turned by the Magpies’ interest.
If Isak leaves, Elanga will have to build a brand new relationship with another striker at Newcastle, something he will be able to do easily, but also something which would not be a requirement if Isak stays.
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