Newcastle supporters believe the happiest day in the club’s history for 56 years was the precursor for the biggest ongoing transfer saga in the Premier League this summer.
The Magpies lifted their first piece of silverware since 1969, and first domestic domestic trophy for 70 years, when they beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley in March.
Alexander Isak scored the decisive goal for Newcastle, when he made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute in the showpiece – writing himself in the club’s folklore.
However, five months on that affection for Swedish striker has turned to disdain for many of the Newcastle fan base as he tries to force a move out of the club and join Liverpool instead – who recently had a £110million bid rejected.
And some Newcastle fans claim the first clue to Isak’s true desires came just moments after their Carabao Cup final.
In the aftermath of the full-time whistle, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk can be seen congratulating the Newcastle players and staff with brief handshakes before moving on to others. However, when he gets to Isak he congratulates him differently, giving him an embrace before sharing some words.
Newcastle fans believe this exchange was when Alexander Isak wanted out of Newcastle
Isak shared an embrace and an exchange with Virgil van Dijk after the Carabao Cup final
And reflecting on that clip, Isak has been accused of showing ‘no respect’ from a member of the Magpies fan base.
‘Started here didn’t it, moments after we won our first domestic trophy in 70 years. No respect from him whatsoever,’ @GeordieJosh wrote on X.
His sentiments were concurred with by other Newcastle fans who replied to his post, with one writing: ‘100% it did. Said it at the time’.
Another posted: ‘I felt there was something wrong when I saw that live,’ while another wrote: ‘Yep. I said that at the time’.
Isak’s future has dominated the summer transfer window, with the forward having told Newcastle and manager Eddie Howe that he wants to join the Premier League champions.
He is still not training with his Newcastle team-mates and will not play in their Premier League opener against Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime.
Any proposed Liverpool move for Isak will not happen until Newcastle sign at least one replacement striker and the Premier League champions return with an acceptable offer. Howe’s ideal scenario is that Isak changes his mind and decides to stay, but he knows that is unlikely.
‘I think everything is at play (Isak stays or goes), because he is contracted to us, he’s our player,’ Howe said on Saturday after a 2-0 pre-season friendly defeat by Atletico Madrid.
Newcastle fans took to X to share their belief that the exchange was when Isak wanted out
Van Dijk’s congratulations to Newcastle players was different than his greeting towards Isak
‘The club basically make the decision on his future. I don’t know what that will be. Of course, I have a preferred outcome. I want the best and strongest squad possible. But also, I want players that really want to play for this football club.’
Howe was asked if he could persuade Isak to stay.
‘If it was that easy I’d be doing it, and I’d have done it yesterday, but it’s not,’ he said.
The Newcastle boss revealed on Friday night that, after conversations with Isak, it was clear he could not train with the squad or play in matches.
Howe reiterated: ‘I want him training and I want him playing for us. So I think by that you can see my want and wish. But from both sides, it has to be right.’
As detailed by Daily Mail Sport, the decision on whether to sell Isak rests with the club’s Saudi owners.
Eddie Howe only wants players in his Newcastle squad this term who ‘really want’ to be there
Isak is not training with his team-mates and will not play in the opener at Aston Villa
He has told the Newcastle hierarchy of his desire to join Premier League champions Liverpool
The message from the top remains that he is not for sale, but there is also an acceptance among some that an exit, on Newcastle’s terms, could be best for the club going forward, which is why they pursued the likes of Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko as replacements for the 25-year-old.
Howe said: ‘That (decision to sell Isak) will be for other people to make. I think for me, I’m just trying to manage the situation and manage the team, most importantly.
‘To manage the group of players that I’m working with day-to-day, that I love coaching and helping, and we’re focusing on Aston Villa.
‘Everything else, to a degree, from my perspective, is not in my control, so it’s not my focus.’