“I think focus on you now, and what turns you on and your talents, which is singular. And then people in your orbit will celebrate you, and your orbit will grow. And then one day by accident, someone in that orbit will be that person.” 🥹 #ImACeleb
If I was Isak watching this I'd feel so embarrassed and guilty watching my teammates go through this.
Absolute warriors out there for Newcastle and he's completely hung them out to dry #nufc
🚨 BREAKING: NUFC STATEMENT 🚨
We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening.
We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.
We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views. As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired.
We do not foresee those conditions being met.
This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates.
��� "It's caught #NUFC by surprise. The hierarchy didn't know..."
👀 "I do think it's fanciful for people to assume that Isak has only been looking for a move away this summer..."
Alex Crook reacts to Alexander Isak's huge statement ⚫️ ⚪️
A lot to unpack.
Firstly, he's under contract, one he willingly signed.
Secondly, and I've experienced this as have a million players, I think he's alluding to ( on signing that contract) the old "do well and if someone offers £80m for you we'll let you go. Answer to this of course is a buy out clause that both parties should maybe have entered into.
Thirdly, he's doing something every modern ( and I hate it) player does. Won't take the very old school route of transfer request as it means giving up a large chunk of bonus/loyalty/salary. In short, modern players want to leave, be paid on leaving and on signing for a new club. Cake meets eating it.
If Newcastle said to him and his agent a year ago " we'll let him go if he has a great season " but it wasn't written down, tough on Isak.
If the player wants to leave but doesn't want to go on the transfer list, then that's the player wanting that cake and eating it.
If he's desperate to leave, put in a request, that alerts every club on earth of his availability ( if Newcastle accept it, and that should because no club wants a player who doesn't want to stay publicly/officially) he forfeits some cash but he's outta there pronto.
Newcastle can play hardball and make him fulfill his contractual obligations but they'll lose money month on month plus they'll need a replacement who does want to play for Newcastle.
I'd sack the agent if I'd received the advice he has, because his contract didn't have a " if you do well you can go at £xxxx", he's basically been out of action for a couple of weeks ( what's the agent doing to get him and club to agree an exit strategy???), an agent several weeks in should advise pulling the transfer list rip cord ( " you're going to lose some dough but your next club will make it up ") etc etc. And any public statement can be used in any tribunal against the ayer do advise him to keep it shut.
Piss poor agent work, naive player, "possible" renaging ( pure speculation at this point) on handshake by club, a football transfer room 101 in how not to handle a febrile situation.
Spare a thought for Dan Burn’s Dad. He wrote this open letter to him before the League Cup Final Newcastle lost back in 2023.
Today, he’s seen his son score the opener to help Newcastle win their first trophy since the Fairs Cup in 1969.