Alexander Isak will leave Newcastle this summer with Liverpool set to ‘come back’ into negotiations for the £150million-rated forward, Craig Hope predicts on the latest episode of Whistleblowers.
Hope, Daily Mail Sport’s Chief Football reporter, also revealed the Swedish striker has been ‘unsettled’ for over a year.
Hope has been at the forefront of the Isak transfer saga, exclusively breaking his refusal to travel with Newcastle’s first team for their pre-season tour of Asia.
Liverpool have already seen an £110m offer knocked back, with Hope reiterating Newcastle’s stance that they will not entertain further bids until securing a replacement.
Hope said Newcastle are now actively pursuing Brentford forward Yoane Wissa and could also look at Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, after first choice target Benjamin Sesko reportedly agreed personal terms with Manchester United.
You can listen to the latest episode of Whistleblowers by clicking the player below or here
‘I have known Alexander Isak was unsettled for the best part of a year’, Hope told Whistleblowers co-host Mark Clattenburg.
‘This goes all the way back to last summer, when Isak wasn’t given the contract he thought he was owed.
‘It has been a turbulent summer for Newcastle – turbulent is the word I would use. I am not for people saying they’ve crashed and burned.
‘Every day now feels like a different rejection – we’ve seen how this Benjamin Sesko situation has played out.
‘It’s back to the drawing board for Newcastle in terms of a striker. Crucially, what does that mean for Alexander Isak – well, he can’t go anywhere until they’ve got those replacements in.’
Broadcaster Gordon Smart pressed Hope on whether he believes Liverpool’s official line that they are out of the Isak race.
‘That was a tactic, in light of their £110million being rejected’, Hope responded.
‘Liverpool have not come this far to offer £10million below what they previously discussed verbally, only to then walk away from it.
‘Liverpool will return, but they’ll only return when they see Newcastle bring in a replacement.
‘The offer would just be rejected, and the price will creep up and up. But they will come back.’
Smart then asked whether Hope believes Isak will leave Newcastle before the transfer window closes on September 1.
‘Yes’, Hope tentatively answered.
He then predicted Newcastle’s next move and argued that the club is in a ‘stronger position’ than widely believed.
‘From a PSR (Profit and Sustainability rules) perspective they’re strong, they’ve got that draw of Champions League football and of working under Eddie Howe.
‘There are other striking targets: Ollie Watkins and Yoane Wissa. I think what the club want to do is replace not just one, but two strikers.
‘Callum Wilson needs to be replaced, and Wissa, we’re led to believe, is the player they’re going to pursue regarding that.
‘But then they need a younger model to come in to replace Isak – Sesko ticked that box, but if that doesn’t happen – there’s not many options out there.
‘I answered your yes or no question before – but there is absolutely still the potential that Isak stays, because there might be no other alternative.
‘Newcastle might have to offer Isak another £100,000 a week and have a gentleman’s agreement he can leave next summer.
‘This story is changing every day, every hour, every minute and Newcastle fans might not want to hear it but as a journalist, it’s fantastic to be at the heart of.’
To hear Craig Hope’s full analysis of Newcastle’s ‘disastrous’ summer, search for Whistleblowers now, wherever you get your podcasts.
