The £1.2bn ‘statement of intent’ Newcastle United must make to cling onto Alexander Isak

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The £1.2bn ‘statement of intent’ Newcastle United must make to cling onto Alexander Isak

Giuseppe Labellarte

4 – 5 minutes

Newcastle United are currently facing a huge battle in order to try to keep hold of Alexander Isak.

TBR Football understands Liverpool are ready to bid for Isak, and there is a belief that their offer is set to break the Premier League record, worth over £120million.

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Sources also revealed on Tuesday that Isak was not training at Newcastle, and it has now emerged that Isak is using the facilities of former club Real Sociedad.

“We believe that Isak has little intention of returning to Newcastle as he maintains confidence he will be joining Liverpool,” TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey said.

TBR Football’s financial expert Adam Williams has now explained what Newcastle need to do in order to ensure they can keep hold of players like Isak in future.

Alexander Isak in Newcastle United training

Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images

Newcastle have two things in particular they need to do in order to grow to the point they can move up the football club pyramid, according to Williams.

One of these is going down the “Manchester City route” of targeting the Middle Eastern football market, and the second is to upgrade their stadium.

Newcastle’s prospective new stadium is estimated to cost £1.2bn and would take several years to complete.

Williams says: “They have got to go down the Manchester City route with respect of expanding the popularity in the Middle East area.

“There is a view in the United Kingdom that it’s not a particularly big market, but that’s completely wrong.

“The Saudi market, for example, is huge. Man City have the highest commercial growth in the Premier League and a lot of that is due to links with Abu Dhabi.

“We have seen Newcastle’s commercial revenue increase from £28million in 2022 to £86million in 2024, and I’d expect it to go through the £100million barrier this season because of the Champions League element.

“With matchday income, it’s all about expanding the stadium or moving to a new ground nearby.

“That has to be explored, but you have to get the balance right with accommodating the hardcore fanbase in the Gallowgate and the commercial and hospitality sector.

“St James’ Park in its present form isn’t geared for that. If you want to be competitive with the big clubs, you need to address the infrastructure.

“A big decision has to be made – and it needs to be made sooner rather than later.

“As well as that, it’s a statement of intent. If you give the Big Six another five years, that increases the gap. Trying to persuade elite players like Isak is difficult without that.

“There is a clear hierarchy of clubs. Even clubs like Liverpool acknowledge that, when Barcelona or Real Madrid come calling, there is a pecking order domestically and internationally.”

READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano shares why players are currently ‘scared’ to sign for Newcastle United

Who could replace Alexander Isak at Newcastle

RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is one of a number of targets for Newcastle – indeed, he has become the most advanced in recent days.

However, Manchester United have also joined the hunt for Sesko, and now it’s up to Sesko to make a final decision over whether to join Newcastle or Man United.

Brentford’s Yoane Wissa is also wanted by Newcastle, but they have backed away after Brentford quoted Newcastle close to £50million for Wissa.

However, Wissa is understood to have told Brentford that he does not want to play for the club again and is refusing to train with the Bees.