Newcastle know there are clubs ‘sniffing around’ four of their stars as well as Alexander Isak

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Newcastle United are in a very difficult position with Alexander Isak, and know that other clubs are watching.

Isak has asked to leave Newcastle and wants to join Liverpool this summer, with the Premier League champions already having seen an offer rejected.

It remains to be seen what happens if and when a second bid lands, though Newcastle continue to insist Isak isn’t for sale.

The club’s reaction will be fascinating. While keeping a clearly unhappy player is a high-risk strategy, ensuring Isak remains at St James’ Park would be a statement from owners PIF.

If the Newcastle United owners relent and let Isak go without signing a suitable replacement or two, perhaps other players will know they can force a move away if they kick up enough fuss too. 

Indeed, there are big clubs “sniffing around” some other big players in the Newcastle United squad.

• Who is Alexander Isak? The striker who burned his Newcastle United reputation to force £125m Liverpool transfer

The four other Newcastle United stars attracting interest from big clubs

According to iNews, Newcastle are aware of the fact that four other key players are attracting interest from rival clubs.

The report namechecks Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Tino Livramento and Sven Botman as players who also have the same ambitions Isak does of winning major trophies in the game.

With that in mind, the Isak situation is brought into even sharper focus. If they give in to player power, then it could set a bad precedent in the dressing room.

Alexander Isak sale could ‘cause the collapse’ of Newcastle United team

Earlier this month, Luke Edwards of The Daily Telegraph said something similar when speaking on BBC 5 Live Sport.

He suggested that letting Isak go without signing a suitable replacement first would “blow up” the 2025/26 season for Newcastle.

Edwards then added that the “likes of Tonali, Livramento and [Anthony] Gordon” will then look to leave over the coming seasons.

Alexander Isak is not bigger than Newcastle United. But this is a bigger issue than Alexander Isak.

Newcastle need to think very carefully about what happens from here.