Alexander Isak gives 'green light' for staggering transfer as agent 'begins talks' with shock club

Alexander Isak has reportedly given the go-ahead for his agents to discuss a mindblowing move away from Newcastle United.

Isak, who scored 27 goals in all competitions for the Magpies as they won the Carabao Cup and secured qualification for next season's Champions League, has been heavily courted by Liverpool - with talk of £120 million.

But talk cooled after it emerged that Newcastle had pulled out of the race to sign Hugo Ekitke, who is a target for the Reds.

However, on Friday afternoon the Sweden international's future took a huge twist as it emerged that Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal are in for Isak and are willing to pay a substantial fee to secure his services.

Al Hilal, who knocked Manchester City out of the Club World Cup, are also owned by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund who also control Newcastle.

Alexander Isak is wanted by Al Hilal. Image: Getty

There is no suggestion there would be a conflict of interest that would scupper any deal, with Santi Arouna of Football Mercato reporting that Isak has expressed an interest in the move and given his representatives the green light to proceed with negotiations.

Alexander Isak's contract situation

Those talks are now ongoing between Al Hilal and Isak's camp while he is with Newcastle on pre-season in Austria.

Isak's contract at St James' Park runs until June 2028 and he is understood to earn £150,000 per week.

A report from The Sun stated that prior to stepping down from their roles, Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi promised Isak a new contract but former sporting director Paul Mitchell pushed discussions back - much to the disappointment of Isak and his camp.

Isak signed for Newcastle from Real Sociedad for a club-record £63 million in 2022 and has scored 62 goals in 109 games, growing into one of the best strikers in world football.

He is expected to feature in the pre-season friendly with Celtic on Saturday, which acts as a precursor for a tour of Asia where they take on Arsenal, a K-League XI and Spurs.