Alexander Isak feels unlikely to remain at Newcastle United, but stranger things have happened.
It emerged last week that Isak wants to leave Newcastle, with Liverpool the leading candidates to secure his signature.
Eddie Howe has spoken about Isak’s future, insisting it is the club that will dictate his next move.
While Newcastle want to keep Isak, the feeling remains that he will get his move away. He wants out, and it is very difficult to keep an unhappy player at your club.
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Neil Warnock is ‘convinced’ Alexander Isak will not change his Newcastle United stance
But could there be a U-turn like the one we saw at the City Ground earlier this summer? Morgan Gibbs-White was set to sign for Tottenham Hotspur, yet has suddenly ended up signing a new contract to remain at Nottingham Forest.
That is the question that has been put to Neil Warnock on TalkSPORT. In the eyes of Warnock, it is extremely difficult to envisage Isak doing what Gibbs-White has done and staying put.
“I loved it, listening to the report about how he’s [Gibbs-White] changed his mind,” he said.
“I don’t know what’s made him change his mind, come on! About an [extra] £100,000-a-week, probably. That’s what has changed his mind.
“The only thing that would do it [change Isak’s mind] is if Liverpool don’t come in with that sort of figure and turn his head. Then Ed has got a right job on his hand to keep him and play him. If you’re not fully committed in the Premier League, you’re going to get injured. There are so many things cropping up in Ed’s mind about how he is going to deal with this situation. There is only him knows.
“But I’m convinced once a player’s head gets turned like that then you’ve got to get the best deal you can for the club and find another.”
New contract offer could change Alexander Isak’s Newcastle United stance
The Gibbs-White situation has been stunning to watch, especially following that interview alongside Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis. It is difficult to believe it really happened.
The only way Newcastle United could trump it is if Isak signs a new deal at St James’ Park and stands side-by-side with chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan!
However, that will only happen if the Magpies do the unthinkable and agree to smash their wage structure to pieces. Newcastle were already prepared to make Isak their highest-paid player, but even that was not going to be enough for him to ink a new deal.
Geordie Boot Boys understand that Isak wanted £300,000-a-week to remain at Newcastle United, which absolutely stunned Toon officials.
It would be stunning if Newcastle suddenly decided to pay him that amount. Even then, there are no guarantees that Isak would say yes. As Warnock says, his head appears to have been turned as Liverpool get set to pounce.
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