Alexander Isak is at the centre of a major transfer tug-of-war as Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal have tabled an eye-watering offer to lure the Newcastle striker away from the Premier League. The 25-year-old has reportedly become unsettled after receiving a £600,000-a-week pre-tax salary proposal, a figure that dwarfs his current £120,000 weekly wage at St James’ Park.
Al-Hilal are not only offering an enormous base salary, but also additional performance-based incentives, including bonuses tied to winning the Saudi Pro League, the Asian Champions League, or emerging as the league’s top scorer. With Isak under contract at Newcastle until 2028, the Saudi club may have to stump up a significant transfer fee estimated at around £120 million to convince the Magpies to sell.
Despite their firm stance on keeping the Swedish forward, Newcastle now face mounting pressure, especially considering Isak’s reported willingness to explore new challenges. He notably sat out the recent friendly match against Celtic, fuelling speculation over his future.
Meanwhile, Liverpool continue to monitor the situation. The striker is said to be open to a move to Anfield, although the Merseyside club are unlikely to match either the financial terms or the massive transfer fee being proposed by Al-Hilal. Liverpool’s summer spending has already crossed £235 million, with key additions like Hugo Ekitiké, Florian Wirtz, and Milos Kerkez. Further reinforcements might depend on player sales, with Darwin Núñez, Harvey Elliott, and Luis Díaz among those linked with potential exits.
With Isak’s head reportedly turned by the interest and riches on offer, the coming weeks could prove pivotal. The possibility of him leaving a club backed by Saudi ownership to join another Saudi-funded project in Al-Hilal is likely to divide opinions among Newcastle fans.
While Liverpool represent a prestigious European option, Al-Hilal’s financial muscle and ambition could sway the striker’s decision. The Premier League outfit now face a crucial test of resolve as they look to keep one of their star assets amid soaring interest from both Europe and the Middle East.
