Alexander Isak statement: Which other players have gone public about their desire to leave their club – and how did it turn out? | OneFootball

Football transfers are more widely reported than ever, yet it is not often that players go public with their desire to leave a club. But what happens when they do?

Alexander Isak’s lengthy transfer saga has dominated football headlines this summer. Liverpool want to add the striker to their Premier League winning squad but Newcastle remain resolute in their stance that he is not for sale. The Swedish international has missed a pre-season tour and the season opener while the dispute has rolled on.

The saga took its latest turn when the forward broke his silence on the matter by releasing a public statement. Isak wrote: “I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn’t reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.

“The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time.

“When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue. That’s where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.”

Will making a public appeal really benefit Isak’s cause? We take a look back at past times that players have publicly pushed for a move.

Cristiano Ronaldo – November 2022

In November 2022, it was fairly obvious that Cristiano Ronaldo was unhappy with his position at Manchester United. The Portuguese superstar had returned to Old Trafford the summer before but when new manager Erik ten Hag did not offer him a starring role, it was inevitable that the forward would want to leave.

Despite this, it still came as a shock when Ronaldo sat down for a 90-minute long interview with Piers Morgan. The attacker heavily criticised the club and expressed his desire for an exit. Ahead of the winter World Cup, he said: “It’s hard for me to say that I will not be back to Manchester United. But regardless, as you say, let’s see what’s going to happen.”

Within a week of the interview’s released, Ronaldo’s United contract was terminated by mutual agreement. He went on to join Saudi side Al-Nassr, who he continues to play for.

Luis Suarez – August 2013

In August 2013, Luis Suarez had already established himself as one of the best strikers in the world. However, Liverpool’s team at the time did not match his talent. The Reds had just finished 7th, missing out on Champions League qualification for a fourth successive season.

At the end of the season, the Uruguayan announced: ”Last year I had the opportunity to move to a big European club and I stayed on the understanding that if we failed to qualify for the Champions League the following season I’d be allowed to go. I gave absolutely everything last season but it was not enough to give us a top-four finish – now all I want is for Liverpool to honour our agreement.”

Ultimately, the forward was not allowed to leave the club that summer and he stayed for another season. That year Liverpool pushed all the way for the title, before Steven Gerrard’s infamous slip cost them glory. Suarez led the Premier League in both goals and assists, and in summer he was rewarded with his Barcelona move.

Peter Odemwingie – January 2013

Peter Odemwingie is perhaps best remembered for going public to try and force a move. After handing in a transfer request and publicly expressing his desire to leave West Brom, the forward took it one step further on deadline day. With a deal in the works with QPR, the Nigerian international took it upon himself to travel to Loftus Road.

Odemwingie was seen on TV outside QPR’s stadium, only for the move to fall through. Although he was unsurprisingly disciplined by West Brom, the attacker did continue to feature for the rest of the season. His exit finally came in the summer, but QPR had been relegated by then and he instead joined newly-promoted Cardiff City.

Chloe Kelly – January 2025

A much more recent high-profile example can be found in the Women’s Super League with Chloe Kelly. The hero of England’s 2022 Euros triumph, Kelly had been a star player for Manchester City. However, at the start of last season, she found her role and minutes seriously reduced, following a fallout with manager Gareth Taylor.

With her place in the England squad in serious doubt for the upcoming Euros, the winger desperately sought a January exit. There were reports that Manchester United were interested but City were unwilling to boost their rivals. As deadline day approached, Kelly took to Instagram to voice her dismay.

She wrote: “With the Euros fast approaching, this summer is a huge one and I want to be in a position to give it my best shot to represent my country. Something which has always filled me with such pride and it is a true honour to do so.

“However, to be dictated whom I can and can’t join with only four months left of the football season is having a huge impact on not only my career but my mental wellbeing. The situation has dragged on for too long, it’s disappointing and not right.”

At the last hour, Kelly had her wishes granted and a loan move to Arsenal was agreed. It turned out to be the start of an incredible six months for the attacker. She went on to play a starring role as the Gunners won the Champions League before once again being the hero as the Lionesses retained their Euros title.

Wayne Rooney – October 2010

Rooney will rightfully be remembered as a Manchester United legend but it could have gone very differently. Back in 2010, he publicly revealed his desire to leave the club.

“I met with David Gill [United’s chief executive] last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad,” Rooney said. “I then told him that I would not be signing a new contract.

“I was interested to hear what Sir Alex had to say yesterday and surprised by some of it. It is absolutely true, as he said, that my agent and I have had a number of meetings with the club about a new contract. During those meetings in August I asked for assurances about the continued ability of the club to attract the top players in the world.”

He would later U-turn on his decision and ended up signing a new deal, staying for seven more years.

Romelu Lukaku – January 2022

Lukaku was seen as the missing piece for Chelsea when he arrived in 2021 but that would not prove to be the case. Not long after signing, he gave an interview to Sky Italy in which he publicly voiced his dissatisfaction.

“I am not happy with the situation at Chelsea,” he said. “Tuchel has chosen to play with another system.

“I won’t give up. I will be professional. I am not happy with the situation but I am professional and I can’t give up now.”

Whether Lukaku was using the interview as a way of forcing a transfer is unclear, but that would be the end result regardless. Following loan spells at Inter Milan and Roma, he joined Napoli on a permanent deal.

Robin van Persie – July 2012

Robin van Persie made the controversial transfer from Arsenal to Manchester United after going public with his decision not to renew his contract with the club.

“Out of my huge respect for Mr Wenger, the players and the fans I don’t want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal should move forward,” he said back in 2012.

He would get his wish to leave Arsenal that summer, going on to win the Premier League with United.