Newcastle United may be eyeing fresh firepower this summer, but it won’t come at the expense of their star striker. Amid growing speculation linking Alexander Isak with Liverpool and Chelsea, respected journalist David Ornstein has poured cold water on any suggestion the Swedish forward could be on the move.
“The sale of Alexander Isak is not on the agenda for Newcastle,” Ornstein stated during Sky Sports’ Back Pages Today. That’s a clear message not just to Liverpool and Chelsea, but to any top club circling. Despite reported interest from several Premier League giants, Newcastle are focused on building around Isak—not selling him.
That might sound surprising given the Magpies’ activity in the striker market. After a quiet start to the window—with only teenage winger Antonito Cordero arriving from Málaga—Newcastle have ramped up their recruitment drive. James Trafford and Anthony Elanga appear close to joining, and now a renewed pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike is underway.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano confirmed Newcastle have re-entered the race for Ekitike, a striker long admired by English clubs. Liverpool and Chelsea reportedly made inquiries in June, while Saudi clubs have also expressed interest. But the player is said to prefer staying in Europe.
This fresh Ekitike push raised eyebrows and fuelled speculation that Isak might be on the move. However, Ornstein’s latest comments suggest the opposite. Newcastle are not only keen to keep Isak—they’re actively working to extend his deal.
It’s no surprise. Isak was electric in 2024/25, scoring 27 goals across all competitions and elevating himself into the conversation of Europe’s elite forwards. For a Newcastle side aspiring to challenge consistently for European places, selling their talisman would be a step backwards.
Callum Wilson’s looming exit, after the club chose not to renew his contract, explains the need for depth. But bringing in a young forward like Ekitike is about complementing Isak, not replacing him. Newcastle are planning for the future with Isak as the focal point—not cashing in.
If the Magpies were ever to consider a sale, it would take an astronomical offer. Talk of a £150 million price tag has been floated, a fee that effectively shuts the door on all but the most financially aggressive suitors. Even for Liverpool, a club that has historically been cautious in the market, that figure may be too steep.
For now, the message is unmistakable: Alexander Isak is staying put. Newcastle are building, not dismantling—and the foundations are firmly set around their No. 14.
