Alexander Isak's huge wage demands and where he could rank on Premier League rich list

Alexander Isak's wage demands would catapult him into the ranks of the Premier League's most handsomely rewarded stars if he did ultimately sign a new deal with Newcastle United. The striker continues to be linked with Liverpool despite the champions' £79million signing of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Isak has now reportedly told the Magpies he wants to explore a move away from the club. And amid speculation over his future, Eddie Howe chose to send the Swede home from the pre-season game at Celtic last weekend.

It has also been confirmed he will miss the club's pre-season trip to Asia with a minor thigh issue. Social media clips have emerged this week of Isak training on his own, and it could be a case of 'when' not 'if' he leaves Tyneside.

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Isak's representative, Gonzalo Gaitan, revealed recently that he is "studying and analysing all options." He told Saudi publication Arriyadiyah: "We may be close to finalising the next step for the player. Without revealing any details regarding whether Isak will transfer or stay with Newcastle."

Discussions regarding a fresh Newcastle contract for Isak have been ongoing. His existing deal, which doesn't run out until 2028, is understood to be valued at £120,000 per week.

Nevertheless, according to talkSPORT, Isak's camp has been pursuing a package that would secure their client £300,000 per week. Such terms fall outside Newcastle's present pay structure and would elevate him among the Premier League's top earners.

According to Spotrac, just five top-flight players earn beyond that amount. Heading the way is Manchester City's Erling Haaland on £525,000. Next comes Mohamed Salah (£400,000), his Liverpool team-mate Virgil van Dijk (£350,000), Manchester United's Casemiro (£350,000) and Raheem Sterling (£325,000) of Chelsea. Meanwhile, Ekitike is reported to be on around £250,000-a-week at Anfield.

Howe addressed rumours about Isak as he explained his decision to send him home before the Celtic game. He said: "It was my decision. He travelled back to Glasgow with us, but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him."

The Magpies boss added: "Yes, I've had discussions with him, but that's not abnormal. I respect a player's career and how short it is. Alex has been really good, he's trained really well and I realise there'll be noise around him.

"We have a few of those players who are irreplaceable. Your top players are so hard to find, so hard to recruit and so hard to develop.

"So when you have them, you need to treasure them. Of course, we're desperate to keep him as part of our team. I think it's difficult for me to ever give 100 per cent clarity on any player, I'd never do that.

"All I can say is Alex is happy at Newcastle, he loves the players, the staff, the team. I've never had any issue with him and I'm confident he's going to be here at the start of the season."

However, since those words, the landscape appears to have shifted, with Isak looking increasingly likely to be moving on, with Liverpool at the front of the queue for his services.

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