Newcastle defender addresses dressing room split claims over Alexander Isak Liverpool transfer

Alexander Isak completed his British transfer record £125m move to Liverpool last Monday and the fallout is still being felt

It's coming up to a week since Liverpool smashed the British transfer record for the second time in a summer of unprecedented spending at Anfield. And in completing a blockbuster £125m deal for Alexander Isak, the defending Premier League champions brought to an end the transfer saga of the summer.

But while Isak jetted off to link up with his Sweden international team-mates straight after completing the switch he was desperate to make, it is clear that talk of how his move to Merseyside materialised has followed him.

The 25-year-old remained on the bench as Sweden had to settle for a 2-2 draw in their opening World Cup qualifier in Slovenia on Friday night. That was no surprise given he did not feature for Newcastle at all in pre-season or in their opening three Premier League games as he attempted to force through a transfer to Liverpool.

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But Sweden's former Blackburn Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson has admitted that Isak could play some part in Monday's match in Kosovo.

It is unlikely, though, that the superstar striker, who scored 27 goals for the Magpies last season including their winner in the Carabao Cup final against his new club, will be put up for media duties before the game.

However, two of his former Newcastle team-mates, who play alongside him for Sweden, have been speaking publicly, with the latest being the veteran defender Emil Krafth.

And he has dismissed reports that the Magpies dressing room was divided over Isak's mega move to Liverpool.

Seaking to Swedish newspaper Sportbladet, Krafth said: “There were many who wanted to see Alex stay but you understand how football works.

“I wish him all the best in the future. For me, Alex is not just a footballer, but a close friend too.

“The media wrote that the locker room would be divided. That is certainly not true. Football players understand football players and we can only wish him the best of luck.

“As Anthony (Elanga) said, it has been very chill. No-one has said or done anything.

“It is just taken out of thin air. You understand his and the club’s situation. Of course, they would have wanted to keep him, he is an incredibly good football player.”

Isak was made to train away from his Newcastle team-mates as the impasse continued.

But Krafth admits his was in regular contact with his compatriot. The 31-year-old said: “We were in contact often and spoke on the phone.

“We also met. It’s clear that there were tough times for him but he’s also strong mentally. It’s clear that it was hard for him, but he got through it.

“It’s not easy that way. But you have to try not to read too much into it. You understand both sides.

“The fans’ frustration and that you want to keep your best player. And you understand Alex, that he might want to take the next step.”

Elanga, who was referenced by Krafth in the interview, opened the scoring for Sweden against Slovenia and then set up Arsenal's big summer signing Viktor Gyokeres to put them back in front.

And before the match, Elanga, who joined Newcastle in July for £55m from Nottingham Forest, said: “It has been chill. He had a contract with us and right now he is with Liverpool. We all think he is a very good player.

“We lost a good player but we also signed good players. Hopefully we can look forward and focus on this season.

“It’s his choice. He chose Liverpool. Good luck to him. He is a friend to me and a fantastic footballer. I can play with him in the national team and that is good as well.”

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