đ¨ BREAKING Yasir Al-Rumayyan ordered Newcastle United to reject Liverpool bid for Alexander Isak
Yasir Al-Rumayyan Blocks Alexander Isak Exit Amid Liverpool Transfer Saga
Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan personally intervened earlier this year to ensure that star striker Alexander Isak would remain at St Jamesâ Park, according to reports. The intervention highlighted just how highly the Saudi-backed ownership values the Swedish forward, who has become the focal point of a bitter transfer saga that has now spiraled out of control.
Over the past 24 hours, tensions between Isak and the club have escalated dramatically. The 25-year-old broke his silence on Instagram, publicly accusing the Newcastle hierarchy of breaking promises made behind closed doors and stressing that a move away from Tyneside would be the âbest solution for all parties.â His remarks came after weeks of unrest, with the striker refusing to train properly and skipping pre-season tours in what has been widely viewed as an attempt to force through a dream move to Liverpool.
Newcastle wasted little time in issuing a strong rebuttal. In a statement released just hours later, the Magpies denied making any commitment to sell Isak this summer and stressed that the clubâs responsibility is to act âin the best interestsâ of the team and supporters.
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Newcastleâs Transfer Stance: No Sale Without Replacement
Behind the scenes, frustration is said to be mounting within the club. Senior figures are particularly angered by how Isak has conducted himself in recent weeks, with insiders pointing to his decision to leave the squad mid-preparation and travel to Spain to visit former club Real Sociedad.
Crucially, Newcastle have been exploring the transfer market for potential replacements. As hinted in the clubâs official statement, the idea of sanctioning Isakâs departure was only ever entertained if a high-quality successor could be secured. Moves were attempted for the likes of Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike, and RB Leipzigâs Benjamin Sesko, but none of those deals materialised.
With Champions League football on the horizon and no suitable forward through the door, Newcastle are unwilling to weaken Eddie Howeâs squad at such a critical moment. Compounding matters, the bids received so far fall well short of Newcastleâs valuation. Liverpoolâs opening proposal of ÂŁ110 million was instantly dismissed by the board, who view the figure as well below what it would take to part ways with their most valuable asset.
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Yasir Al-Rumayyanâs Admiration for Isak
Isakâs situation is complicated further by the admiration he enjoys from the very top of the club. Back in March, shortly after Newcastleâs Carabao Cup triumph, the Daily Mail reported that chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan considers the Swede his favourite player in the squad. At the time, he is believed to have instructed the club hierarchy to reject all offers outright, making it clear that keeping Isak was a top priority.
Barcelona had been linked with a move earlier in the year, but their ongoing financial turmoil made any deal impossible. Until the recent fallout, the notion of selling Isak had been virtually unthinkable, with Newcastle instead planning to build their attacking department around him for what was billed as a landmark season.
That plan has already seen Anthony Elanga arrive from Nottingham Forest, while talks have been held with Brentford regarding Yoane Wissa. A frontline consisting of Isak, Elanga, Wissa, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, and Jacob Murphy would have provided Howe with the depth and variety needed to handle both domestic and European fixtures. Whether Isak remains part of that attacking unit, however, now hangs in the balance.
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The Clubâs Official Statement
In their strongly worded response to Isakâs post, Newcastle reminded all parties that the player remains under contract and that no agreement was ever reached to facilitate a summer exit.
> âWe are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening,â the statement read. âWe 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.â
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What Happens Next?
For now, Newcastleâs position is firm: Isak will not be sold unless an extraordinary bid arrives and a replacement is secured. Yet the strikerâs determination to push through a move means the saga is unlikely to cool anytime soon. With the transfer deadline fast approaching, all eyes will be on whether Liverpool return with an improved offer or if Newcastle stand resolute in their refusal to part with their prized forward.
What is clear, however, is that Yasir Al-Rumayyanâs influence looms large. As long as the PIF chairman views Isak as a cornerstone of Newcastleâs project, the likelihood of him leaving St Jamesâ Park this summer remains slim â even against the playerâs wishes.