Why Did Newcastle's Star Striker Skip Korea? The Truth Behind Isak's Controversial Asia Tour Absence

The Mysterious Absence That Shocked Korean Fans

When Newcastle United announced their pre-season tour of Asia in July 2025, Korean football fans were buzzing with excitement. The Premier League giants were scheduled to face Team K-League on July 30 at Suwon World Cup Stadium, followed by a clash against Tottenham Hotspur on August 3 at Seoul World Cup Stadium. However, the excitement quickly turned to disappointment when the squad list was revealed without Alexander Isak, the Swedish striker who had just finished as the second-highest scorer in the Premier League with 23 goals, trailing only Mohamed Salah's 29. Newcastle initially claimed Isak was sidelined due to a minor thigh issue, but the reality was far more complicated.

According to The Athletic's bombshell report on July 24, 2025, Isak had actually requested to be excluded from the tour because he wanted to explore transfer options away from the club. The 25-year-old striker had informed Newcastle of his desire to leave that summer, making his absence a strategic move rather than a medical necessity. BBC Sports confirmed that Isak was seeking new opportunities, with Liverpool emerging as the primary destination. Newcastle legend Alan Shearer didn't mince words, calling the club's injury explanation ridiculous and urging them to tell the truth about the situation.

Behind Closed Doors: The Transfer Saga Unfolds

While Newcastle traveled to Korea without their star striker, Isak took a completely different route. Reports from the Daily Mail revealed that instead of joining his teammates in Asia, Isak flew to San Sebastian, Spain, where he trained at Real Sociedad's facilities, his former club. This unauthorized departure infuriated Newcastle fans, who felt betrayed by a player they had supported through his development into a world-class striker. The situation escalated throughout August 2025, with Isak training separately from the first team and refusing to participate in any pre-season matches or even the opening Premier League fixtures.

Liverpool had been circling throughout the summer, with their initial bid of £120 million rejected by Newcastle, who valued Isak at £150 million. The Reds had just won the Premier League title and were determined to strengthen their attack, having already spent over £300 million on players like Florian Wirtz for a club record £116.79 million, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Mykola Matviienko. On August 19, 2025, Isak broke his silence on Instagram, accusing Newcastle of broken promises and stating he couldn't continue at the club. His statement read: When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. This public declaration sealed his fate at St. James' Park.

Record-Breaking Deal and Mixed Reactions

The transfer saga finally concluded on deadline day, August 31, 2025, when Liverpool and Newcastle agreed on a British record fee of £125 million. The deal eclipsed the previous record of £106.8 million that Chelsea paid Brighton for Moises Caicedo in 2023. Isak signed a six-year contract with Liverpool, becoming the most expensive signing in both Anfield and British football history. However, the manner in which he forced the move left a bitter taste. Former Newcastle midfielder Jeff Hendrick, speaking to Boyle Sports in October 2025, suggested Newcastle deliberately delayed the transfer while searching for a replacement, explaining why negotiations dragged on for two months despite apparent agreements behind the scenes.

Football pundits were divided on Isak's behavior. Ally McCoist criticized him for throwing his toys out, while Gabby Agbonlahor suggested he should be punished as an example. On the other hand, Jamie Carragher argued that Isak had outgrown Newcastle and deserved a chance at a club capable of winning the Champions League. Newcastle fans erected a banner at St. James' Park calling Isak a snake, while Liverpool supporters welcomed him with open arms. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe admitted in September that his relationship with Isak became difficult after the striker went on strike to force the transfer.

Life at Liverpool: A Fresh Start Under Pressure

Isak made his Liverpool debut on September 17, 2025, in a Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid, playing nearly 60 minutes in an eventual 3-2 victory secured by Virgil van Dijk's 92nd-minute header. He described the experience as an amazing night on social media, thanking Liverpool fans for their warm welcome. His first goal came in the Carabao Cup against Southampton on September 22. However, adapting to life at Liverpool proved challenging initially. Having missed four months of proper team training due to the transfer standoff, Isak required a specialized fitness program to reach match sharpness.

By October 2025, Isak had scored just one goal in six Premier League appearances for Liverpool, though fans remained patient, appreciating his link-up play and tactical understanding under new manager Arne Slot. In an interview during the international break on October 9, 2025, Isak spoke positively about his new life, saying: It's been great so far. A great team and a city with good relationships with the fans. Everything is going well. Liverpool entered a three-game losing streak going into the October international break, putting pressure on their record signing to deliver results. Community reactions on Korean forums and international platforms revealed mixed feelings—some admired his ambition to compete at the highest level, while others questioned whether his controversial exit from Newcastle would haunt his legacy. The Korean fans who missed seeing him during the summer tour could only wonder what might have been had he chosen to honor his commitments before pursuing his dreams.