Newcastle United forward, Alexander Isak has reportedly turned down a jaw-dropping £600,000-a-week tax-free contract from Saudi Arabia side Al Hilal amid interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool.
Liverpool, long-term admirers of the former Real Sociedad forward, are actively engaged in discussions, positioning themselves as the frontrunners to sign the Swedish international this summer.
Isak‘s future is in doubt as it’s emerged that he wants to ‘explore’ a move elsewhere after scoring 27 goals in 42 appearances for Newcastle during the 2024/25 campaign.
The Newcastle sensation has emerged as one of the world’s top strikers, attracting interest from several elite European clubs in recent months.
Before Isak’s stance on an exit surfaced, a move for the forward was considered unfeasible this summer as he is under contract until 2028 and has a reported valuation of around £150m.
However, Isak’s decision to pursue a transfer could weaken Newcastle’s negotiating power as Liverpool prepares to formalise a move for the striker.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, he shared on his X handle that there’s nothing ongoing between Isak and the Saudi Pro League club, as the Swedish striker remains focused on a potential move to Liverpool.
The tweet reads:
“There’s nothing ongoing between Alexander Isak and Al Hilal now.
“Isak has already turned down Saudi options, he said no as his wish remains to play at the highest level in Europe.
“The real club in concrete talks for Isak was, is and remains Liverpool.”
Liverpool would not be able to match the personal terms that Al‑Hilal have proposed and it is unclear whether they would be able to afford the fee; Isak is valued at about £120m.
Isak has not travelled to Asia with his Newcastle teammates for the club’s pre-season tour, officially because of a minor muscle injury, and is assessing his options. The 25-year-old has been unsettled by the transfer talk and he did not play for Newcastle in the friendly at Celtic last Saturday.
The club have no desire to sell him and the fans would surely take the dimmest of views of their Saudi owners if they were to let him go to Al-Hilal. Like Newcastle, Al‑Hilal are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
