Alexander Isak has been tipped to perform a stunning U-turn and stay at Newcastle United amid Liverpool's pursuit.
Isak has been the subject of intense transfer speculation and his future intensified after he informed Newcastle that he wants to explore his options this summer.
Eddie Howe issued an update on the star forward, who has not travelled with the squad to Asia for their pre-season tour.
And he has taken drastic action to force a move away from St. James' Park, with Liverpool keeping tabs on his situation ahead of potentially making a bid.
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Despite his stance, Isak has been backed to stay at Newcastle ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Keith Wyness, who served as CEO at Everton between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs, believes that all hope is not lost for Newcastle.
He reckons Isak could change his mind as he referenced Morgan Gibbs-White, who signed a new deal at Nottingham Forest, having seemed set to join Tottenham.
"It’s one of those where Eddie has got to take him to one side and also the club have got to reconsider his new contract situation, if they could resolve that," he said on The Inside Track podcast.
"Recently, Morgan Gibbs-White, that’s a situation where it was as good as done and somebody was going, and then things got reversed. Isak could be that situation.
"I think he actually quite likes Newcastle, but he feels as though he was promised something and they didn’t deliver. I think they’ve got to deliver on that new contract, and then I think Eddie Howe could talk him round and get him to stay. So all hope is not lost with this situation.
"It’s gonna be one of those that the club’s gonna have to reconsider. It’s difficult for clubs to eat humble pie, though."
Wyness also suggested Newcastle should offer Isak a new deal to keep him happy at the club.
"If they were able to get him to sign the new contract, they’ve already seen that he could be going for £150m to £200m," he added. "So why not invest in that asset and keep him happy?
"I just don’t know, though, personally, how far the problem has gone in terms of conversations with him and his agent, and if it’s irreparable.
"I would hope not, and I would hope that Eddie Howe could talk some sense and that the owners see they’ve got an asset that’s worth preserving.
"If they’re to kick on, having him this season would be rather important, if they’re going to move to the next level. So I’m hoping they can turn it around. All is not lost."
Isak has been at Newcastle since the summer of 2022 following his transfer from Real Sociedad.
He has scored an impressive 62 goals in 109 matches for the club.
Topics: Alexander Isak, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Football
Nasir Jabbar