Liverpool's striving for Alexander Isak has received a boost after the player publicly asked to leave Newcastle United on Tuesday.
In a statement on Instagram on Tuesday, Isak said that promises are “broken” by Newcastle and “the relationship cannot continue” with his current club.
“I kept silent for a long time while others spoke,” Isak wrote. “That silence has enabled people to push their own version of events, although they know that it does not reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.”
“The reality is that promises have been made and the club has known my position for a long time. To pretend that these problems are only on the rise, it is misleading.
“When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship cannot continue. That is where things are now for me – and why change in everyone's best interest is, not just myself.”
This is the first time that Isak has been so open in his desire to leave the team he helped with a first trophy in 55 years, just a few months earlier. This will probably strengthen Liverpool's negotiation position, but Newcastle likes to keep their star.
In a statement later on Tuesday, Newcastle said in response: “We are clearly as an answer that Alex will remain under contract and that a club officer never started that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.
“We want to keep our best players, but we also understand that players have their own wishes and we listen to their opinion. As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into account 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 have not been drawn this summer.
Pick up your game! Whether you have from NFL-Touchdowns, NBA-Zoemer-Beaters, football goals from World Class or MLB home runs, our app has it all.