On the back of his "broken promises statement" which is believed to be about the verbal promise of a better contract from Amanda Staveley before she left, what do you reckon about the situation ?

A: Short career, entitled to go where he wants and earn as much as he can and play for whoever he wants
B: Signed a contract and it's tough

B

I'd be happy to see Liverpool drop out and Isak have to make a grovelling apology to the fans.
There must be better ways for a footballer to handle situations like this. As for short careers, I think we moved on from that argument a long time ago. Especially for footballers playing at top levels.

Newcastle have the money , I say let him rot .

Never ever understood the “short career” statement.

It’s like they’re never allowed to work again once they’ve finished football.
Look I know today’s footballers will never need to work again.
Haaland earns £2million a MONTH. Just that is the equivalent of DOUBLE the minimum wage for 43 years!!! Short ******* career my arse!!

B. I hope the Saudi’s stick to their guns and keep him whilst not playing him.

All this short career nonsense makes me laugh, erm, you don't have to retire in your early thirties, how about getting another job like millions of others have to do on a regular basis.

B , I hope Liverpool pull out , who wants an idiot like that in the squad .

So many players get told they’re not part of the managers plans and get shipped out. Works both ways I guess.

Isak is behaving like a dick.

As are Garnacho and Wissa and as many others have past and present.

Once there is a whiff of money they’re off, all the BS about the love of the game or winning trophies is just that.

Money, it’s all about money.

I think anyone, in any job would want a pay rise if they’ve had an impact on the business that Isak has over the past 3 years or they’d be looking somewhere else. If he’d have been shite for 3 years Newcastle would have no problem trying to ship him out where ever they could even without him wanting to go.

I reckon Liverpool are just sitting on their hands and chuckling, probably go in with a lower offer when it's all settled down.

Mind you, as someone mentioned above, he might do the same to them in the future if it suits him, so they may shine him on.

To be honest, living up here in the North East and having Nealcastle fans in the family I am sick to the back teeth of it…Newcastle fans are really grinding gears between this and PSR it’s getting boring now….either sell him or outcast him…

Lot of discussion about this all being about the money, I don't know Isak, maybe it is, but at Liverpool he has a genuine chance of some major silverware.

ALK are quick to try to get players on new contracts when they are performing well. Perhaps Newcastle could take a leaf from their book there.

If Isak had an agreement for a pay rise then perhaps between him and his agent he should have got that in writing.

The fact he hasn't and is using the verbal agreement as the reason for his actions then he should sack his agent for being thick enough to accept it in words only.

Newcastle fans are outraged by his childish actions but fully supportive of Wissa doing exactly the same in his wish to join them. It would be funny if Liverpool came out and announced they have ended their interest in him to see Isak's next actions.

You sign a contract you honour it, no ifs and buts. A verbal clause isn’t worth the paper…….
He should have had it put in his contract.
I’m amazed L’pool still want him. RM come in for him nextSummer and we go through it all again.

Huge European Law changes (potentially) on the horizon, where player autonomy is concerned. It’ll be huge: up there with the Bosman ruling, admittedly a good few years away. Re: Isak, if I were him, I’d be sacking my agent. Badly informed and his career could potentially suffer now.

jdrobbo wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 20, 2025 8:28 am

Huge European Law changes (potentially) on the horizon, where player autonomy is concerned. It’ll be huge: up there with the Bosman ruling, admittedly a good few years away. Re: Isak, if I were him, I’d be sacking my agent. Badly informed and his career could potentially suffer now.

I have heard a bit about this, is it something along the lines of a player wants to move and the club are powerless to prevent it ?

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 20, 2025 8:29 am

I have heard a bit about this, is it something along the lines of a player wants to move and the club are powerless to prevent it ?

Won't that have ramifications in any walk of life in that people could walk out on contracts whenever they feel like it, regardless of the profession?

I'd be for him spending a year in the reserves, but isn't there some rule that a player has to play a % of the games or else they can trigger some release?

He just needs to put a transfer request in to the club.

Of course, that means he's effectively ending his contract and not eligible for any bonuses tied to length of service. So he won't. Instead he's trying to manipulate the club publicly into letting him go without any financial penalty to himself. Pure greed.

B

He is entitled to want out, but Newcastle are entitled to his full worth. Trying to buy him on the cheap is underhand, and the real issue in all this fiasco.

I thought we'd made a cheeky bid when I saw this thread surface.

This let him rot in the reserves idea - should we have done that with Shackell or the collection of players a year ago?

Believe mostly down to the agent's talking to other clubs and then telling their clients they have a move lined up for them..

Dyched wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 20, 2025 7:19 am

I think anyone, in any job would want a pay rise if they’ve had an impact on the business that Isak has over the past 3 years or they’d be looking somewhere else. If he’d have been shite for 3 years Newcastle would have no problem trying to ship him out where ever they could even without him wanting to go.

Perhaps but “anyone” isn't generally already earning £120k per week . I mean Newcastle agreed to pay him that ‘much precisely because they hoped he’d have a big impact and Isak happily signed a contract agreeing to it.
How much money does he need ?!!!

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 20, 2025 9:16 am

I thought we'd made a cheeky bid when I saw this thread surface.

This let him rot in the reserves idea - should we have done that with Shackell or the collection of players a year ago?

the club always suffers the most under that kind of scenario.

It's nothing new. Happened for the last 30 years.

We've had players do it who wants to join us.

Part of the game now unfortunately.

Newcastle can't afford to let him rot

Papabendi wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 20, 2025 9:43 am

the club always suffers the most under that kind of scenario.

I think you are right, there are ultimately no winners but clubs do suffer. I recall speaking to Dave Baldwin when he was leaving and he said one of his toughest tasks at Burnley as chief exec was dealing with the Shackell situation. And if half of the rumours are true, I don't think Matt Williams had things much better last summer.

All part of the circus, I don't see a problem.

He signed a big contract to play for a club. He is, however, still of free will. So if he decides not to play and breaks the contract, will be fined accordingly.

Anthony Gordon refused to return to training at Everton to force his move through, same with Gyorkeres to Arsenal, Tarks to us, Mahrez went on strike twice before getting to City, Suarez before leaving Liverpool, even golden boy Harry Kane refused to go on a pre season tour to try get away from Spurs.

Would you bother turning up to your work if you wanted to go somewhere else better, and had the money in the bank to simply not turn up? Doubt it.

ClaretOfMancunia wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 20, 2025 9:07 am

He just needs to put a transfer request in to the club.

Of course, that means he's effectively ending his contract and not eligible for any bonuses tied to length of service. So he won't. Instead he's trying to manipulate the club publicly into letting him go without any financial penalty to himself. Pure greed.

Exactly this!

Just reading this thread shows how much fans have wised up. Everyone knows now it's about money, agents, bonuses and commissions.

30 years ago we'd still have been naively talking about loyalty or ambition or the 'size' of a club, like it mattered. It's just about cash, as it always was. Isak started having a lifelong dream to play for Liverpool around the same time as Newcastle's PSR restrictions started to impact their spending. Funny that.

I think it affects the economy of football when players behave like that and while it's ok at Newcastle - it can also affect clubs like us.

We are clearly honouring the contracts of a number of players who likely as not we would like to sell, which stops us from making more signings to secure a position in the PL.

Equally, if we invest in players we should get full market value for them and you can't do that if they refuse to play.

ClaretOfMancunia wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 20, 2025 9:07 am

He just needs to put a transfer request in to the club.

Of course, that means he's effectively ending his contract and not eligible for any bonuses tied to length of service. So he won't. Instead he's trying to manipulate the club publicly into letting him go without any financial penalty to himself. Pure greed.

Why would submitting a transfer request nullify a contract. Is that something specific to football?

He'll sign for Liverpool AFTER the two sides meet on Monday night, Tuesday probably.

I’m in the B camp, HOWEVER if you say your player is worth £150m then you should be paying him the market rate wage for a player of that value, club can’t have it both ways.

Similar situation at Napoli with Krava a few years ago, saying Nile was worth £100m but paying him £20k a week.

ClaretPete001 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 20, 2025 10:31 am

Why would submitting a transfer request nullify a contract. Is that something specific to football?

Generally it’s written into contracts that by submitting an official transfer request you forgo any loyalty bonus that would be paid after the length of a contract, (or should the club decide to sell you) in his case this will be a good few million as it’s normally tied to transfer value. Him trying to get the club to accept an offer means he would still get paid this money out too from Newcastle.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 20, 2025 9:16 am

I thought we'd made a cheeky bid when I saw this thread surface.

This let him rot in the reserves idea - should we have done that with Shackell or the collection of players a year ago?

They may have downed tools behind closed doors, but I don't think there were any instances of effectively going on strike, were there. Certainly I can't think of anyone agitating in public i.e. Isak's statement.

In real terms though, Newcastle can afford to let him rot. We couldnt.

Darthlaw wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 20, 2025 10:47 am

They may have downed tools behind closed doors, but I don't think there were any instances of effectively going on strike, were there. Certainly I can't think of anyone agitating in public i.e. Isak's statement.

In real terms though, Newcastle can afford to let him rot. We couldnt.

The difference was I suppose that it was all done without any statements from club or player but I do know Shackell refused to play in pre-season so effectively went on strike.

In practical terms Isak putting in a formal transfer request doesn't change anything in terms of Newcastle's standpoint

equinox wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 20, 2025 10:36 am

He'll sign for Liverpool AFTER the two sides meet on Monday night, Tuesday probably.

It’s pretty much the same situation with Wissa at Brentford except ironically Newcastle are the buyers .

Once that deal is over the line I think Isak will be off - all on deadline day probably in a big Jim White wet dream.

Struggling to seeing the comparison of the Isak situation to say that of Dara O'Shea, if that was what was intended

O’Shea was demanding a move but that didn’t stop him training and playing for us.

Quite a while ago fans favourite John McGreal downed tools when told he wasn’t getting a new contract.

Liverpool also have form for getting players to force a move.

Didn't they have to apologise to Southampton for tapping him up and declare they had ended their interest in him only to sign him a few week later when he put in a transfer request. Think he had just signed a very long contract with Saints as well.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 20, 2025 10:49 am

The difference was I suppose that it was all done without any statements from club or player but I do know Shackell refused to play in pre-season so effectively went on strike.

Last I can think of is Kyle Lafferty slating the fans? Wasn't a 'I want to leave' but near as dammit.

Darthlaw wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 20, 2025 11:34 am

Last I can think of is Kyle Lafferty slating the fans? Wasn't a 'I want to leave' but near as dammit.

He did via a phone call to me but his outburst in the press was aimed at Coyle and not the fans. He said: "I need a fresh challenge at this stage of my career. No player is going to stay where he is not wanted. I have given my all to Burnley but it is imperative I make a move as it would also help my international career."

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 20, 2025 11:40 am

He did via a phone call to me but his outburst in the press was aimed at Coyle and not the fans. He said: "I need a fresh challenge at this stage of my career. No player is going to stay where he is not wanted. I have given my all to Burnley but it is imperative I make a move as it would also help my international career."

The most overrated player we've ever had. That money is pne of the reasons we are a prem club to this day IMO. Didn't it get us Eagles and Paterson, 2 superior players

Papabendi wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 20, 2025 10:53 am

In practical terms Isak putting in a formal transfer request doesn't change anything in terms of Newcastle's standpoint

It means they don’t owe him a few million in loyalty bonus, which if they are going to accept below asking price will matter to them.

Newcastle have made their position clear, so opting to put in a formal request isn't relevant here.

If I was the Newcastle hierarchy, I would accept an offer from another club ( not Liverpool).

Papabendi wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 20, 2025 12:56 pm

Newcastle have made their position clear, so opting to put in a formal request isn't relevant here.

Save that it makes isak look like a petulant child kicking his feet because he can't get sweets without saying please.

He was happy enough taking money from a pretty good contract when he was injured.

Liverpool have played the usual real madrid card of having the press in their back pocket. The guy has 3 years left on his contract and they think he is worth less than wirtz and can make him so by getting to behave like he isakunt. I'd rather he had gone to arsenal. Saturday could be interesting.