‘He can’t do it’ – Simon Jordan tells Alexander Isak to name names after Newcastle claim

Alexander Isak’s claim of an understanding he could leave Newcastle has been branded ‘nonsense’ by Simon Jordan.

The striker released a statement on Tuesday night as he addressed his ongoing transfer saga for the first time.

Isak is not currently involved in first-team training with Eddie Howe’s side after seeing a bid worth an initial £110million from Liverpool rejected.

The Sweden international wishes to leave St. James’ Park and was left out of the squad in their season opener against Aston Villa on Sunday.

In his statement released on social media, he claimed the club had ‘broken promises’ causing him to ‘lose trust’.

Newcastle subsequently responded to the player’s comments in a statement of their own.

The Magpies denied that any commitment had been made to allow Isak to leave the club during the current transfer window.

Jordan sided with the club as the situation was assessed on White and Jordan.

The former Crystal Palace chairman called on Isak to reveal who from the club had made the promises cited in his statement.

He explained: “I don’t doubt that Newcastle have understood that Alexander Isak would like to leave Newcastle if a very big football club comes in.

“What I would imagine is not clear and has never been said and it never will be named as to who it was said by.

“Because if you have the balls to turn around and say ‘I was told by’, name them.

“Name the person specifically and explicitly who told you that, irrespective of conditions, you can leave when it suits you, you can leave when another football club comes.

“He won’t do it, he can’t do it and I doubt that you’ll ever see the light of it and I hope that he can point his finger at somebody and make somebody accountable.”

Jordan continued: “Newcastle’s statement, and not just because I’m a former football club owner, is probably more likely to be the position as it is, which is ‘we’ll welcome him back’.

“I’d be fining the backside of him quite frankly but the idea that Newcastle have agreed something, these players are running around now whenever they don’t get what they want, turning around and saying, ‘well, I understood this, I was given a gentleman’s agreement for that, I was given assurance of that’.

“So in future, what you can do is no longer rely on a contract, you can write it down on a napkin and say ‘here’s what I think we’ll understand going forward’. They wouldn’t have that.

“They wouldn’t say, ‘oh my contract, my bonuses, my weekly salary, my goal bonus, my loyalty bonus, we’ll do it on understanding shall we?’ It’s nonsense.”

Isak currently has three years remaining on his contract at St. James’ Park.

Since signing for the club in 2022, the 25-year-old has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances and helped Newcastle win the Carabao Cup last term, scoring in the final where they beat Liverpool 2-1.

What did Isak say?

Isak took to social media during the PFA Awards on Tuesday after being named in the Premier League Team of the Year.

Although he thanked those at the club, he admitted it ‘didn’t feel right to be there’ due to the ongoing situation.

In a post on his Instagram story, Isak wrote: “I’m proud to be recognised by my fellow professionals with a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season for 2024/25.

“First and foremost I want to thank my teammates and everyone at Newcastle United who has supported me along the way.

“I’m not at the ceremony tonight. With everything going on, it didn’t feel right to be there.

“I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn’t reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.

“The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.

“When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue. That’s where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.”

Newcastle’s response to Isak

Following Isak’s bombshell statement, the club issued an official response which read: “We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening.

“We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.

“We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views.

“As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired.

“We do not foresee those conditions being met.

“This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates.”