Selling or keeping Isak at this time is not just a transfer story, but a test to see if Newcastle is truly a new force in the Premier League or is still just a "pauper" in the race with the big guys.
Isak - the heart of Newcastle
Since joining Newcastle for £63m from Real Sociedad in 2022, Isak has become an irreplaceable spearhead. With pace, skill and a killer instinct, he has defined manager Eddie Howe's attacking style. Newcastle have finished in the Premier League's top four twice in the last three seasons, thanks in large part to the Swede.
Now, with Isak keen to leave – with Liverpool a potential destination – the question is: what will Newcastle do? If the club were to sell, they would not only lose their best player, but also shoot themselves in the foot of the barrel of building a team capable of competing in Europe. A big club would never sell their star player when he is still under contract, especially to a direct competitor.
With Financial Fair Play (FSP) regulations tightening, many will say Newcastle are forced to consider selling Isak to raise funds for a transfer. A £120-130m deal sounds attractive, but after deducting the buy-back clause from Real Sociedad, the real profit is around £50-60m - not enough to find a striker of similar calibre.
More importantly, Newcastle are not so short of money that they need to sell Isak. They have the funds for this summer transfer window, but the problem lies in not being able to convince their top targets. That is a strategic issue, not a lack of money.
 |
Isak is a mainstay of Newcastle. |
If Isak is allowed to leave, Newcastle will send a dangerous message: “We are not strong enough to keep our star player”. As a result, players like Sandro Tonali, Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon - who are considered pillars for the future - will also waver. The team will become a “player warehouse” for the big clubs to gut, instead of striving to compete.
It has happened before to ambitious but unfit mid-table clubs – Southampton in the past. But Newcastle, backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), were once seen as the new challenger to the Big Six. If they back down now, that image will crumble.
Lessons from Manchester City
When Manchester City began their journey to become the dominant force in England, they did not sell their stars to the big boys. Instead, “The Cityzens” kept adding to their squad, building a solid foundation and eventually “crushing” their old clubs. Newcastle need to learn that lesson. To be a challenger, you have to know how to preserve the foundations, not destroy them.
The biggest problem at the moment is not money, but mentality. Isak is said to be interested in Liverpool, a prestigious team competing for the Premier League title. He has also just been dropped from the tour by coach Howe, the official reason is injury, but everyone understands that this player's spirit is no longer focused.
How to convince Isak to continue to contribute is a difficult problem. In the modern era of football, “player power” often wins. Cases like Harry Kane, Luis Suarez or Van Dijk all show that when a player wants to leave, it is very difficult for the club to keep him. However, Newcastle still has the advantage: Isak has 3 years left on his contract, and they can absolutely force him to stay.
The question is: Can they afford it? Keeping a player who is no longer motivated will affect the team's morale, but if they sell, they will lose more than just a striker.
 |
If Isak is sold, Newcastle will face huge consequences. |
According to Telegraph Sport , manager Eddie Howe and chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan held emergency meetings and agreed that “Isak is not for sale at any price.” This stance shows determination, but the pressure will increase by the week as the transfer window draws to a close and offers from rivals become more attractive.
Howe has a good relationship with Isak and this is where his psychological management skills will come into play. If Howe can convince Isak that Newcastle’s project is big enough and ambitious enough to keep him, it will be a huge win not just for this season, but for the future of the club.
The Isak affair is not just a transfer, but a test of who Newcastle are. Are they an ambitious team, daring to retain their stars and challenge Liverpool, Manchester City or Arsenal? Or are they a club that is easily swept away by the power of the "big guys" and loses the foundation they have built for so long?
PIF have invested heavily in Newcastle, not to become a “premium player outlet” for the Big Six. They want to be at the top of Europe. To do that, they must keep Isak - a symbol of ambition and a thirst for victory.
Newcastle are not just keeping a striker. They are keeping the soul of a project that could shape the entire future of the club.
Source: https://znews.vn/ban-isak-de-khien-newcastle-lun-bai-post1571441.html
Comment (0)