Eddie Howe and Kieran Trippier say there’s every chance he remains on Tyneside
Thomas Fair Community Editor and Chronicle Live readers
20:00, 29 Jul 2025
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United(Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Alexander Isak could be drawing closer to a Newcastle United exit as reports suggest that Liverpool have “finalised” a contract that meets his salary demands – but some fans in the Chronicle Live comments section say that the club should take a leaf out of Nottingham Forest’s book and kick up a stink about an underhanded approach for their star player.
Sky Switzerland say that Newcastle and Liverpool will meet this week, and that the Reds will begin the process of trying to hash out a deal for Isak.
Liverpool have previously and privately indicated that a £120m package would be their aim, but Newcastle want a historic deal of £150m for a player that has been such an integral part of their recent rise and successes.
The issue of “tapping-up” – an unauthorised approach for a player – has re-emerged over the past few weeks. Tottenham Hotspur drew the anger of Nottingham Forest over their approach for Morgan Gibbs-White.
Forest were furious and threatened legal action, over the issue of whether a confidentiality agreement has been breached over a release clause, and Gibbs-White would eventually sign a new contract to stay in the Midlands.
The situation is different, but some fans are wondering whether Newcastle should be more outwardly angry about Liverpool’s approach, in an attempt to ward them off.
Reader Mactoon says: “I don’t even know what’s allowed anymore. Lots of players seem to be ‘agreeing terms’ with new clubs before the clubs have even discussed the move. In my eyes that is tapping the player up which last time I saw was illegal.
“Liverpool have unsettled our player and now reports say terms have been agreed. Our Chairman should throw Liverpool under the bus and lodge a complaint if it’s true. Keep them tied up until the end of the window.”
Commenter KEGS11 also sees a similarity: “Unless Newcastle have given their approval to approach the player, isn’t this an illegal approach similar to Spurs/Gibbs-White?”
KevP100 writes: “How can Isak have agreed terms with Liverpool? Has he been given permission to talk to Liverpool? Have Liverpool been given permission to talk to Isak? Surely none of this can happen with a player under contract? Surely permission is required from the ‘owning’ club?”
Jetx says: “It shouldn’t be allowed. They have openly disrupted NU and Isak all year. The club doing the tapping, along with the agent instigating it should be very heavily fined.”
Toon77 thinks it’s all talk: “I haven’t seen Alexander Isak say he wants to leave this summer with his own mouth and until either then, or he is at Anfield signing and wearing a red shirt, I have decided to ignore it all. I think Tripps might just be right and Isak may even be our new number 9 next season.”
Ashy agrees: “Alexander Isak is a Newcastle player and will remain a Newcastle player for the full coming season. Isak has not put in a transfer request so therefore he is a committed player for the Toon. Any player wishing to leave NUFC needs to inform the club at the beginning of the transfer window.”
Dobba67 wants to see an ultimatum: “Offer him a new deal and see what he says. If he doesn’t want to sign it, sell him to the highest bidder and move on. If he signs, then great, we have him back in the team.”
Have your say! Should Newcastle United try to ward off Liverpool by accusing them of “tapping-up”? Would it achieve anything? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.