Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak took a decisive turn once Hugo Ekitike joined us this summer, with The Athletic outlining how the Newcastle striker’s mood changed immediately after that deal was completed.
According to James Pearce, Oliver Kay and others, the Magpies had resisted an initial approach from Anfield in mid-July when we offered around £120 million for the Sweden international.
At the time, Newcastle were struggling to strengthen their own forward line after losing Callum Wilson and missing out on Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Bryan Mbeumo.
Ekitike deal alters Newcastle stance on Isak
The report explains that while Newcastle publicly insisted Isak was untouchable, privately some within their hierarchy acknowledged that signing Ekitike might make them more open to a sale.
Instead, Hughes moved quickly to bring the French forward to Merseyside on 21 July for a fee that could rise to £79m. That transfer is now viewed as a pivotal moment in the saga.
The Athletic noted that “those who saw him up close” felt Isak’s demeanour shifted after Ekitike’s Anfield move was agreed.
The 25-year-old then missed a friendly with Celtic citing a “minor injury” and subsequently refused to join Eddie Howe’s squad for their pre-season tour of Asia.
This lack of a pre-season has led the Swede to comment on his own poor fitness following a disrupted summer.
Liverpool stayed confident of landing record deal
Although our opening £110m bid on 1 August was rejected out of hand, senior figures at Anfield remained convinced that patience would eventually deliver a breakthrough.
The club’s decision not to seriously pursue alternatives such as Bradley Barcola or Rodrygo showed the belief that Isak could still be prised away.
The Athletic even reported that Newcastle insiders viewed Liverpool’s approach as “just trying to save face after doing their best to destabilise a rival.”
Whilst the Geordies remain bitter after this transfer exchange, our new No.9 has been the more classy party with his statement.
Our hierarchy considered their offers serious and believed that landing both Ekitike and Isak was realistic, especially after the tragic loss of Diogo Jota and the sale of Darwin Nunez to Saudi Arabia.
With Ekitike already bedding in and Isak eventually secured for a British-record £125m, Liverpool reshaped their attack in dramatic fashion over the course of a summer that will be remembered as one of the most significant in recent history.
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What Isak did was far from ‘classy’. Although it didn’t work out for him, Mark Guehi showed true class and professionalism.
If done the right way, Isak could have gone down as being a legend with the Geordies, but because of his lack of class he will be remembered as a ‘rat’.
I’d say he’s glad to move to Liverpool if that’s how he’d be remembered, taking that he won the first trophy in 70 years for Newcastle. Look at all the players that turned down Newcastle, does that not tell you something?
Wissa did the same thing. Why is Isak being scapegoated? Newcastle made noise about Isak but they accepted a player in Wissa who refused to train or play for his club and also released a statement for the club to let him go.
What’s class, though, with regard to transfers and players? The club can decide you no longer fit in their plans at any time. They provide a salary, players provide performance. Just as the club can say you no longer fit our plans, the players should have the same option. I think every player signing a new contract over 3 years should have a release clause. Should the coach change, owners change or you just want to leave, you as a player should have that option.
You should be blaming the Newcastle executive management. Staveley had promised Isak a pay rise but she was ousted, Paul Mitchell reneged on that promised. Talk about “classy”. Isak went on to finish second in the Golden Boot. No he Isak made up his mind to move to a bigger club, one where players are treated with respect. I don’t blame the Geordie fans for being upset
Players are not slaves, if you paid money to hire their services, then accept money back and let them go to places they wish. Isak is class because he can say no to slavery.
Guehi is an unhappy slave at Palace because his heart belongs elsewhere and he’s like a fish whose tears you can’t see because they form part of pond water it swim in.
You should be blaming the Newcastle executive management. Staveley had promised Isak a pay rise but she was ousted, Paul Mitchell reneged on that promised. Talk about “classy”. Isak went on to finish second in the Golden Boot. No he Isak made up his mind to move to a bigger club, one where players are treated with respect. I don’t blame the Geordie fans for being upset
Yeah and how did it end up for Guehi? Despite him conducting himself as a gentleman, he was taken for granted and his wish was taken away from him.
He will be remembered at Anfield. He will have a lot of success here, way more than he would’ve had at Newcastle. Forget him there, we’ll remember him here.
Theres always two sides to a coin and ot depends on which side of the coin you are. Loyalty to a club should be earned and not forced unto. Why must only the player be blamed and not the club, especially when the club have the full knowledge of the players intent and desire. Treat others what you want others to treat unto you.