Alexander Isak likely to face big fine this weekend as Newcastle United forward remains on strike – Craig Hope

Liverpool fans woke up to another tense chapter in what has now become one of the most talked-about transfer sagas of the summer, a story that has been twisting and turning for weeks and refuses to end quietly. Newcastle United and their star striker Alexander Isak are locked in a standoff so intense that it has now spilled into open defiance. The Swedish striker, one of the most lethal forwards in the Premier League, has made it clear he will not train and will not play for Newcastle as long as they continue to block his move to Liverpool. It is not just a transfer disagreement anymore, it is a battle of willpower, ego, and determination between a club that wants to protect its asset and a player who believes his destiny lies at Anfield.

The atmosphere around Newcastle’s training ground has been tense for days. Normally in the summer you would expect smiling faces, fitness drills, and light-hearted banter as players prepare for the new season. But now there is a shadow over the camp. Every morning, reporters gather outside, camera lenses pointed at the gates, hoping to catch a glimpse of Isak walking in. But he never does. The team bus leaves for pre-season friendlies without him. The coaches run sessions without their main striker. Newcastle’s staff and management may publicly insist it is “business as usual,” but behind closed doors, everyone knows this is anything but normal.

Isak’s stance is clear. He will not train, he will not play, and he will not change his mind unless Newcastle soften their position. His representatives are advising him to hold firm, to show that he is serious about his intentions. In their view, if he suddenly returns to training, Newcastle might interpret it as a sign of weakness, a signal that he is willing to compromise. The thinking is simple: the only way to force Newcastle’s hand is to stay away and make the situation uncomfortable enough that the club eventually caves. This is not an easy decision for a player, especially one who has been respected by his teammates and loved by the fans. But Isak has chosen his path, and he is walking it without hesitation.

From Newcastle’s side, the situation is just as clear. They are refusing to sanction his move to Liverpool. They are determined not to lose their star man unless the conditions are perfect for them. For the Magpies, this is not only about money. It is about pride, ambition, and sending a message that they will not be bullied in the transfer market, even by one of the Premier League’s giants. They know Isak is a rare talent — strong in the air, deadly with both feet, intelligent in his movement — and replacing him will not be easy. They are willing to risk the discomfort of this standoff if it means protecting their position.

The tension escalated when Liverpool, who had initially placed an offer on the table, decided to pull it back. This was not a sign of giving up. In fact, it was a calculated move. Liverpool’s recruitment team knows that once Newcastle find a replacement for Isak, the entire situation could change in their favour. The belief inside Anfield is that if Newcastle manage to sign another striker this summer, negotiations will reopen. When that happens, the transfer could not only go through, but it could also smash the British transfer record. And that record, ironically, is already held by Liverpool, after they paid a staggering £116 million to bring in Florian Wirtz earlier in the summer.

That £116 million deal shocked the football world. It was a statement that Liverpool are no longer a club that simply competes for top players — they are willing to dominate the market and get whoever they believe will take them to the next level. Isak, in their eyes, is one of those players. They see him as the ideal forward to complement their squad, a player with pace, power, finishing ability, and the mentality to thrive under pressure. Arne Slot, Liverpool’s head coach, is said to be a huge admirer of the Swede’s game. In private, some around the club have even hinted that Slot views Isak as the final piece in his attacking puzzle, someone who can lead the line for years to come.

For Isak himself, the attraction to Liverpool is obvious. They are the reigning Premier League champions, a club with history, ambition, and a squad stacked with world-class talent. They have just reinforced their midfield and wings, and their style of play suits his abilities perfectly. For a striker, there are few things more appealing than knowing you will be receiving passes from the likes of Wirtz, Mac Allister, and Szoboszlai. The prospect of playing in front of the Kop, hearing the roar of Anfield after scoring in a big game — it is the kind of dream that keeps players awake at night.

But dreams can be complicated in football. For now, Isak is still a Newcastle player, bound by a contract that gives the club the power to decide his future. This is where the frustration builds. Newcastle’s owners are wealthy, ambitious, and determined to keep their best players unless they receive an extraordinary offer. They do not want to be seen as a selling club, especially after qualifying for European competition last season. Losing Isak now would feel like a setback to their project, something they are desperate to avoid.

Behind the scenes, there are whispers of potential replacements being lined up. Newcastle have reportedly made discreet enquiries about strikers in Spain, Italy, and the Bundesliga. The moment they find a target they believe can fill Isak’s boots, the door could open for Liverpool to return with a new bid. And when they do, it will not be a small one. Insiders believe the fee could rise beyond £120 million, possibly more if performance-based add-ons are included. That would be enough to test Newcastle’s resolve, and perhaps finally bring this saga to an end.

In the meantime, the standoff drags on. Isak remains away from the training ground, his absence a daily reminder to Newcastle of the problem they face. Every time they prepare for a match without him, they are forced to think about the gap in their attack. Every time fans gather in the stands and see no Isak, the questions grow louder. How long can they keep him if he does not want to be there? How much damage will this do to the team’s preparation for the new season?

Liverpool are watching all of this closely. They are patient, confident, and ready to act at the right moment. They know transfer sagas can be long and exhausting, but they also know that persistence often pays off. With the financial muscle they have already shown this summer, they are not afraid of making another record-breaking move if it means getting their man.

For now, all sides are locked in a waiting game. Newcastle want a replacement before selling. Isak wants Liverpool and is prepared to sit out until he gets his wish. Liverpool are waiting for the right moment to strike. The transfer window still has weeks to go, and in football, that is a lifetime. This story is far from over, and as each day passes, the tension only rises.

Some fans believe Isak should return to training out of respect for Newcastle, while others say he is right to stand his ground if he truly wants the move. On social media, debates rage between those who think loyalty should come first and those who believe players have the right to control their own careers. For Isak, the decision has already been made — his heart is set on Liverpool, and he is not looking back.

The next few weeks will decide how this saga ends. If Newcastle find a new striker, expect talks to restart quickly. If they do not, this standoff could drag on into the start of the season, causing more disruption for everyone involved. But one thing is certain — the battle for Alexander Isak is not just about money, it is about ambition, identity, and the irresistible pull of a club that believes it is building something special. And until the final day of the transfer window, Liverpool fans will keep hoping that the next time their team walks out at Anfield, Alexander Isak will be wearing the red shirt, ready to make history.