Alexander Isak’s deadline day move to Liverpool from Newcastle United for a British record sum of 130 million euros is being widely talked about as one of the wildest transfer sagas of all time. The move has sparked plenty of reactions from football fans and pundits all around the world and former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has become the latest to provide an opinion on the matter.
Before we unfurl the reaction from Joe Hart during a podcast, it is important to understand the context and timeline of Alexander Isak’s record-breaking transfer to Merseyside. On his very first interview after signing with the Reds, Isak admitted that it had “been a long journey to get here (Liverpool)” and no one can blame him for saying that. It was indeed a very long journey.
Some outlets have even called it the most toxic transfer story ever but even after all that, Alexander Isak is grateful to Newcastle United for letting the move materialize. The club had no option either. Ever since Liverpool had expressed their interest in signing the Swedish striker at the start of the summer window, Isak was keen on the move.
An opportunity to join one of the most exciting and strongest teams in Europe, who are fresh off winning the Premier league title, is something that no player can ignore. Isak himself knew that he had the potential of becoming a superstar in the English top-flight and for that to happen, he had no option but to force an exit from Newcastle.
Isak would have thought that negotiating with Newcastle bosses would have been but he learned it the hard way. The Magpies kept blocking the move, claiming their No. 9 is an important player for head coach Eddie Howe and that they won’t sanction this deal.
This agitated Isak, who went on a full-blown strike, missing the preseason as well as the club’s opening 3 league matches against Aston Villa, Leeds United and Liverpool themselves. And the impact of his absence? The club is yet to win a game, drawing against Villa and Leeds while losing 3-2 to the reigning champions.
It wasn’t until the deadline day that Newcastle United had no option but to accept Liverpool’s 130 million bid and let go of their prized asset, who accounted for 62 goals and 11 assists across all competitions in 3 seasons. He also won the Carabao Cup last season, which was Newcastle’s first major silverware in 70 years.
Joe Hart blasts former England international Chris Sutton while defending Alexander Isak
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, who was a part of the legendary 2011/12 Premier League winning Manchester City team, has made his intentions clear on the Isak-Newcastle matter. During a recent podcast appearance, Hart was put to the spot against former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton.
Both of the former England players were arguing if Alexander Isak did the right thing by choosing to go against his contract with Newcastle in order to join Liverpool. Isak had 3 years left on his Newcastle contract and Chris Sutton argued that Isak didn’t show respect to the club as well as his teammates and that he was selfish for putting him ahead.
In response, Joe Hart said that Isak doesn’t care about being slammed on social media and that he is not being selfish for demanding an exit. Sutton then stated that Hart was supporting Isak’s selfish behavior to which the latter responded by saying, “What’s it? Why? Who is he being selfish to? You? Because you’re getting a bit upset”.
“I’m making a point. Contracts have to mean something.. Contracts don’t have to mean anything?” – Chris Sutton asked. Joe Hart then made a very good point about contracts not standing for anything when a club wants a particular player out, something he also faced during the end of his Manchester City career when Pep Guardiola refused to include him on his plans.
“I’m not saying that they do or don’t, I’m just telling you they don’t and when it doesn’t suit the club, the contract means nothing. Go and sit on that dressing room. Don’t train when we come in, all those sorts of things happen. So why when it’s the other way round, do we all of a sudden adhere to the contract and respect everything that’s going on.” – Hart said via Football Daily, BBC
Watch the argument between Joe Hart and Chris Sutton
Joe Hart on Alexander Isak.. 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/pdEtbqePWc
— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) September 2, 2025
