Alexander Isak is training alone at his former club Real Sociedad’s training facilities amid uncertainty over his Newcastle future.

Alexander Isak is one of the most talked-about strikers in the world right now, and for good reason. The Swedish forward has spent the last few weeks away from Newcastle United’s pre-season tour, quietly training alone at the facilities of his former club, Real Sociedad. But behind this simple story of a player recovering from a minor thigh injury lies a much bigger and more dramatic transfer tale that has shaken fans of Newcastle, Liverpool, and even Real Sociedad.

At just 25 years old, Alexander Isak has become the center of a storm involving transfer drama, club politics, personal ambition, and the reality of the modern football business. While Newcastle say he’s nursing an injury that kept him from traveling to Asia for the club’s pre-season preparations, the truth might be more complicated. Yes, he’s recovering, but he’s also made it clear to the club that he wants to explore his options in this transfer window—especially after Liverpool made an informal approach for him.

This story goes beyond just an injury or a missed tour. It is about a player who feels he has grown beyond the club he plays for. Isak, who signed for Newcastle from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2022 for a club-record £63 million, now seems to believe he is ready for something even bigger. In the three years he has spent at Newcastle, Isak has delivered. He has scored 62 goals, helped Newcastle win the Carabao Cup, and played a key role in helping them qualify for the UEFA Champions League. But for Isak, all that might not be enough anymore. He wants more—more trophies, more challenges, and definitely more money.

As he trains alone in the Basque Country, using Real Sociedad’s facilities during their off-hours, Liverpool are quietly watching the situation. The Reds have already signed Hugo Ekitike this summer, a player who was once on Newcastle’s radar, and now they seem to be circling Isak again. Although Liverpool’s initial approach for Isak was informal, the club remains seriously interested. Head coach Arne Slot has even hinted that Liverpool would never ignore the opportunity to sign a top talent if it arises.

In a recent press conference, Slot made a subtle but strong point when he said, “If we see a chance in the market, we never hesitate to bring someone in.” He was speaking at the end of Liverpool’s tour of Japan, and though he didn’t mention Isak by name, the message was loud and clear. Liverpool are ready, and if Newcastle make the striker available, the Reds will be there.

But Newcastle are not ready to let go so easily. Eddie Howe, the manager, admitted during their troubled pre-season that the situation is not entirely in his hands. He wants Isak to stay. He said, “He is still our player. He’s contracted to us. We control, to a degree, what is next for him.” That phrase—“to a degree”—says it all. The club might hold the contract, but the player has the power to push for a move if he wants it badly enough.

There is also a financial angle to this story. Isak’s former club, Real Sociedad, included a sell-on clause when they sold him to Newcastle. That means they will earn 10 percent of anything Newcastle make above €70 million. Considering Newcastle value Isak at £150 million, Sociedad could end up with a big payday if the transfer happens. They’ll also get 2 percent from FIFA’s Solidarity Programme, plus an extra 0.5 percent for every year Isak spent at the Spanish club.

For Liverpool, the issue isn’t about whether they like the player—it’s about whether they can afford him. But according to Sky Sports, the Reds are in a financially strong position. They’ve spent wisely this summer, brought in some exciting young players, and with several departures creating space in the wage bill, a big-money move for someone like Isak isn’t off the table.

There’s also the matter of wages. Isak currently doesn’t earn anywhere near what the top strikers in the Premier League make. He’s believed to be earning less than £150,000 per week at Newcastle, while players in his category—those scoring regularly and competing for top honors—are earning £250,000 to £300,000 weekly. This is a big reason why Isak wants to leave. He doesn’t want to be denied that opportunity to earn what he believes he deserves, and he sees Liverpool as a place where both the trophies and the money are available.

Isak’s timing makes sense too. He’s 25, entering the peak of his career. He’s already proven himself in Spain, in the Premier League, and at international level with Sweden. He’s not asking for a step up because he’s untested. He has the numbers, the experience, and the ambition. From his point of view, this is the moment to take the leap. If he waits another year or two, he risks injury, a drop in form, or Liverpool finding someone else.

Interestingly, his absence from Newcastle’s pre-season games has left a vacuum in the team. Newcastle have lost three matches in a row, including a shocking 1-0 loss to a K League XI in South Korea. Their transfer activity has been underwhelming, and they have missed out on several key targets. Meanwhile, Isak watches from afar as his potential replacement, Hugo Ekitike, shines in Liverpool’s red shirt. It’s almost like the universe is telling him something.

What happens next is up to the clubs. Newcastle have not received a formal offer yet. But if Liverpool are serious, and if Isak continues to push from his side, things could move quickly. Newcastle’s valuation of £150 million is steep, and that could be a stumbling block. But we’ve seen big-money moves happen before when all parties want the same thing.

In the background, Real Sociedad stand ready to collect their share. They’ve kept a good relationship with Isak, and the fact that he chose to do his recovery at their facility shows a level of respect and comfort. He spent three strong years at the club, developing from a young prospect into a lethal striker. His return to their training ground—albeit temporarily—feels symbolic, like the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

There’s also the emotional angle. Isak is not throwing tantrums. He hasn’t gone on strike. He hasn’t blasted the club or refused to train. He’s made a calm, mature decision to take care of his body while sending a clear signal: he’s ready for the next move. That kind of professionalism doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by clubs like Liverpool who value character as much as skill. But the pressure is on. Newcastle are in the Champions League this season. Losing their best striker now could derail their ambitions. And yet, keeping a player who no longer feels aligned with the club’s direction might be even worse.

It’s a delicate situation. From a fan’s point of view, it’s painful. Newcastle supporters adore Isak. He’s not just a goal scorer—he’s a symbol of the club’s new era, their ambitions, and their belief that they can compete with the very best. Letting him go would feel like a step backwards.

For Liverpool fans, though, the excitement is real. Imagine a front line of Isak, Ekitike, and Wirtz, with Salah’s legacy carried forward by new stars. Isak’s blend of pace, strength, finishing, and link-up play fits perfectly with Liverpool’s system. He could be the missing piece that takes them back to the top. And for Isak himself, the decision might already be made in his heart. He’s just waiting for the paperwork to catch up.

The next few days will be crucial. Will Liverpool make a formal offer? Will Newcastle budge on their asking price? Will Real Sociedad cash in once more on their former gem? And will Eddie Howe find a way to replace a player who, quietly and professionally, might have already said his goodbye? What we know is this: Alexander Isak is not just recovering from a thigh injury in Spain. He’s preparing for the biggest move of his career. And the football world is watching.