It’s reported by the Daily Mail that Isak had been told by Newcastle that his contract demands wouldn’t be met during discussions surrounding a new deal. Former co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi are rumoured to have reassured Isak’s camp that fresh terms would be forthcoming in March 2024, sparking outrage when Newcastle backtracked on the move.

Isak is said to have taken the decision badly, which is believed to have been taken with one eye on PSR rules in mind. Regardless, it’s claimed the snub was one of the grievances Eddie Howe referenced when speaking about an “unsettled dressing room” at the beginning of last season.

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Of course, Isak – eventually – regained his focus and shone during a historic campaign for the North East outfit, scoring 27 goals as Newcastle won the League Cup and qualified for the Champions League. But during a hectic off-season of comings and goings in the Premier League, it would appear Isak’s priority is elsewhere.

It was reported earlier on Thursday that the ex-Borussia Dortmund and Real Sociedad ace wants out of Newcastle, with Liverpool still keen to make a deal happen. Isak has told Newcastle about his desire to leave, with suggestions Liverpool could be about to launch a British-record pursuit of the forward.

It will come as a disappointment to fans, given their recent successes, but Howe has previously admitted Newcastle could be at risk of losing their big-name stars, if they don’t perform on the pitch. He said last year: “We need to make sure we’re delivering our part as a football club for them.

“But also the player has to perform to that level. If he’s saying he has huge ambitions, he has to be actually doing the business on the pitch – it’s a two-way thing, the challenge is always thrown back. As a player you can sit down and say I want to play European football, but you then have to play to that level as well.”