Alexander Isak saga takes dramatic turn as new player statement issued

Liverpool have received a potential boost in their bid to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle with just hours remaining in the summer transfer window.

Isak, 25, is determined to join Liverpool and has refused to play for Newcastle this season in an attempt to force a move to Anfield.

Liverpool have already had one bid worth around £110m rejected for the Sweden international, who scored 27 goals last season. However, the Merseyside club are expected to return with a second bid before the transfer window closes at 7pm on Monday.

Isak issued a statement earlier this month claiming Newcastle have "broken promises" to allow him to leave this summer and that his relationship with the club is now "broken". However, the club immediately denied an agreement was in place to let Isak depart.

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe has insisted he wants to keep Isak but admits he's unsure if the player will still be at the club when the transfer window closes.

Newcastle have already signed Nick Woltemade in a £69m move from Stuttgart to replace Isak but are keen to sign another forward before considering selling the Swedish striker, after releasing Callum Wilson.

Isak is determined to leave Newcastle (Image: Getty)

The Magpies have had several bids, including a £50m offer, rejected for Brentford striker Yoane Wissa.

Like Isak, Wissa has so far refused to play this season in an effort to engineer a move to St James' Park.

With time running out, Wissa has issued a fiery statement on Instagram calling for the club to allow him to leave. Echoing Isak's own remarks, Wissa claims Brentford have reneged on a promise to let him depart this summer.

In the statement he claims Brentford promised to not "stand in my way" if they received a reasonable offer and that the Bees have "significantly changed" their position. He has called on the club to "honour" their promise and let him leave before the window closes.

It remains to be seen whether Wissa's statement will force Brentford to sell, and if it could a potential impact on Liverpool's bid to sign Isak.

The Telegraph claim the Reds are set to return with a British-record £130m bid for the Swedish striker, but Newcastle may refuse to sell unless they are able to sign further attacking reinforcements.

Yoane Wissa's full statement to Brentford

"Over the past few weeks, there has been increased speculation about my future at Brentford Football Club. As a result, I wanted to speak directly and honestly about exactly where things stand.

"I have stayed silent for much of the summer, but with just hours remaining of the transfer window I feel compelled make it clear that I want to leave Brentford. I believe the club are unduly standing in my way despite a series of fair offers throughout the summer.

"I have always given 100 percent for Brentford since the day I signed back in 2021. I am proud of what we have built together and have never taken the opportunity to play for the club for granted.

"Brentford fans will always have a special place in my heart. And I have always conducted myself professionally, both on and off the pitch. It has been a privilege to wear this shirt for 149 games and celebrate 49 goals.

"Earlier this summer, I held open discussions with the club’s senior management, including key directors and the new head coach. I made clear my intention to explore a new challenge.

Wissa wants to leave Brentford (Image: Getty)

"During these conversations, it was confirmed to me and my representatives that the club would not stand in my way if a reasonable offer was received. This was also put in writing.

"Based on this understanding, I sought to find a new club, keeping Brentford informed with full transparency at every step.

"I received a formal offer from another Premier League club and communicated I wanted to join. I was under the impression, from all my conversations with Brentford, that there was a mutual agreement to part ways.

"Yet as the window comes to an end, the club has now significantly changed its position, going against what was communicated. This has left me in a difficult and frustrating position. The promise that I could leave this summer has not been fulfilled. It saddens me to have to write that, and I maintain total respect for the club and its fans.

"I want to make it clear that I have not acted unprofessionally, nor do I wish to leave Brentford on bad terms. I have been transparent in my position throughout. I have continued to communicate openly with the club and conduct myself in a way that reflects my values as both a footballer and a human being.

"I remain hopeful that a fair and reasonable resolution can still be found before the transfer window shuts.

"In the meantime, I must do what I feel is right for my career and family and insist that Brentford honour their promise to let me join a new club and at a fair price.

"I want to thank all the Brentford fans for their support and understanding during this difficult situation. Your energy and belief in me has always meant a great deal. This has never been about walking away from what is a fantastic football club. It’s about being allowed to move forward with Brentford's blessing based on repeated promises that I could leave for a new chapter this summer.

"Being made to stay beyond this summer will only tarnish four wonderful years at this incredible club and so I ask Brentford’s owners and directors to now honour their promise to let me leave in the final hours of the window."