'I congratulated him' - Viktor Gyokeres defends close friend Alexander Isak over Liverpool transfer saga after going on strike at Newcastle

Isak’s record-breaking £125m switch to Liverpool was one of the summer’s most dramatic transfer sagas, with the striker refusing to train with Newcastle in the final days before the deal went through. The saga drew heavy criticism from fans and pundits, but Isak has now been publicly backed by fellow Sweden international Gyokeres, who revealed he congratulated his friend and insisted the move was the right step for his career.

"I haven't spoken with him too much because he's just come. I said hi to him and congratulated him for the move and not so much more," Gyokeres said when asked about Isak. "Yeah, I said earlier about my situation [leaving Sporting CP for Arsenal], it can be the same. You don't know what has been going on behind [the scenes]. I don't know in his case what has gone on exactly so it's difficult for me to speak about that.

"When it is a player who is not wanted in that club I think it's the total opposite, He doesn't have any power, the club can literally do whatever they want with the player. It's difficult but it's how the situation is."

Gyokeres' move to Arsenal this summer followed a similar story to Isak's Anfield switch. The 27-year-old reportedly refused to return to Sporting for pre-season and insisted on a move away. He eventually got his wish, as did Isak, with the pair set to link up for their national team before battling it out for the Premier League title this season.

Isak has missed out on the chance to face compatriot Gyokeres in the Premier League until 2026, but instead they will share the pitch against Slovenia and Kosovo in two World Cup qualifiers this month.