Gabby Agbonalhor has claimed Newcastle aren’t a big club outside of their own city and backed Alexander Isak to leave to fulfil his career ambitions.
talkSPORT understands the Swede has informed the club that he wants to explore a move away this summer.
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The bombshell came just hours after the Magpies confirmed he would not be travelling to Asia for pre-season friendlies due to a minor thigh injury, though a precautionary scan came back clear.
With Isak‘s current contract at St James’ Park running until 2028, the Geordies would want £150million for their star man.
This would represent a British record transfer, with Liverpool prepared to meet his steep valuation.
Newcastle’s preference is to keep Isak, but believe his head has been turned by the transfer speculation.
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What did Gabby Agbonlahor have to say about Isak?
Since making the move to St James’ Park in 2022, the 25-year-old has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most prolific goalscorers, netting 62 goals in 109 games overall.
Last season, Isak enjoyed his best goalscoring return, registering 23 goals in 34 league fixtures.
His impressive goal haul helped the Magpies finish fifth and secure a Champions League berth for the 2025/26 campaign.
He also played a starring role in helping Newcastle end their 70-year wait for a trophy with EFL Cup glory in March, but talkSPORT’s Agbonlahor believes the striker can achieve little more with the club.
Appearing on talkSPORT Drive, he said: “He’s been around Newcastle nearly three years now
“He’s got three years left on his contract, but he’s probably thought to himself: ‘You know what? Newcastle – big club in Newcastle. Newcastle aren’t a big club worldwide’.
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“Just in Newcastle, that’s a fact. Newcastle fans can come on and argue that with me. They’re a big club in Newcastle.
Agbonlahor added: “He’s looking at them thinking: ‘I might want to go and win Ballons d’Or. I might want to win the Champions League. I don’t just play in the Champions League, I want to win it. I want to win the Premier League.
” ‘I’m not 21, I’m 25. Newcastle can’t give me what I want’. “
Since the 2022/23 season, Isak has netted 54 Premier League goals, with only Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland scoring more.
While both players have tasted Premier League glory during this time, Isak has never finished higher than fourth with Newcastle.
And Agbonlahor claimed that the Magpies will be unable to provide much more than this for their marksman, as he insisted he must move on to bigger and better things.
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The former Aston Villa star also highlighted Newcastle’s only major signing of Anthony Elanga this summer as proof that the club cannot match Isak’s ambition.
He said: “Isak has done fantastic at Newcastle. I mean, look at some of his stats – 27 in 42 last season, 62 goals in 109 games all together for Newcastle. He’s better than Newcastle.
“For me, himself and Haaland, are probably the best strikers in the world.
“Isak at 25, he’s looking at his career now and thinking: ‘I’ve got you into the Champions League, I won your first trophy in 70 years, I am better than what Newcastle can offer me’.”
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“[He’s] looked at the transfer window, only Elanga has been brought in. He knows the money he should be earning.
“You’ve got players that are a lot less good as him. He’s a lot better than them, on bigger money. So he knows that he’s worth £300,000 a week.”
