Newcastle insists Isaac is not sold, but the final decision is in the hands of Saudi capital

Newcastle United's position on Isaac is still firm - this striker is not a seller.

However, the final decision on his future will be in the hands of the club's chairman Yasir Arumayan and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) behind it.

This transfer storm has begun to ripple within the club as the team just started its Far East preseason journey.

According to the Sports Edition of the Daily Telegraph, as the club's major shareholder, PIF will have the final right to decide on Isaac's future.

Despite the growing rumors, including the keen interest of Premier League champion Liverpool, a firm attitude still permeates the St. James Park Stadium.

Liverpool has expressed its willingness to break the UK transfer fee record and offer the Swedish international 120 million pounds (about 1.12 billion yuan).

The number is eye-catching, but it is far below Newcastle's psychological price - it is reported that the valuation is more than 150 million pounds (about 1.4 billion yuan). There is no formal offer yet, but this may change in the coming days as Liverpool attempts to test Newcastle's determination. Isaac, 25, has three years left in its contract, and the club has made it clear that he will not be sold this summer.

But the current rumors that the striker is open to exploring other options have disturbed the team and caught the coaching staff off guard.

Newcastle's unexpected assessment of the possibility of introducing Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesco, adds fuel to the fire.

Magpies' recruitment team has long admired Cesco, but it is unclear whether he is seen as Isaac's partner or a potential replacement.

Chairman Aruman's intervention in this matter is extremely unusual. The PIF chairman is usually rarely involved in the club's daily operations and prefers to hand over the decisions of football affairs to head coach Eddie Howe and his team.

But since Isaac's future is now seen as a strategic issue, the PIF has decided to take control directly. The timing of the development of the situation also caused uneasiness. Eddie Howe and his team arrived in Singapore earlier on Friday for pre-season preparations, but were caught off guard by media reports that "Isaac hopes to reconsider the future."

Teammates reportedly were confused by the situation, especially since Isaac had earlier informed the team that he was absent due to injury.

The coming weeks are crucial. Although Newcastle insists that Isaac is at the heart of their ambitions, the fact that the club's highest ownership level has now stepped in to show that this is by no means an ordinary transfer rumour.

One thing is certain: If Liverpool does submit a record formal offer, the pressure faced by PIF and Arumanian - whether to stick to their stance or cash out - will reach a boiling point.