Alexander Isak Transfer Saga: 10 Players Who Went Rogue to Force a Move

Transfer sagas in football often make headlines, and in recent weeks, Isak’s name has dominated the spotlight. 

The Swedish striker has been linked with a big-money exit, with reports suggesting tension between him and his current club over his long-term future. 

The striker recently dropped an epistle to reiterate his stance of leaving Newcastle United this summer, and the club responded, holding their ground on allowing him a move away.

Here, we look at 10 famous cases of players who went against their clubs in order to get the transfer they wanted.

The big story around Isak is that he may follow a similar path to other modern stars who pushed their way out of clubs. 

Reports have suggested that Isak is unsettled at Newcastle United, with Champions League football and bigger contracts elsewhere tempting him. 

The Swedish striker was initially quiet in public, as whispers about missed meetings and unrest inside the dressing room grew louder. 

However, the striker has now publicly pushed for an exit, joining the long list of players who went rogue to secure their dream move.

Berbatov’s desire to leave Spurs for Manchester United was no secret. He was accused of refusing to give his all in matches while his future was up in the air. 

His body language frustrated Tottenham fans and management, who felt he had checked out mentally. 

Eventually, on deadline day, United secured him for £30.75 million, showing how player power often wins.

Coutinho’s dream of playing for Barcelona saw him clash with Liverpool. The Brazilian playmaker submitted a transfer request and even refused to play in certain games to force the issue. 

Liverpool stood firm initially, but the pressure from Coutinho was relentless. By January 2018, Barcelona got their man in a £142 million deal, although his career in Spain never lived up to the hype.

Aubameyang became notorious at Borussia Dortmund for pushing his way out. The Gabon striker reportedly missed team meetings, turned up late for training, and was dropped for disciplinary reasons more than once. 

Dortmund had no choice but to cash in when Arsenal came calling. The move suited all parties at the time, but the way Aubameyang acted showed how far players are willing to go to get what they want.

Sterling’s relationship with Liverpool soured when he made it clear he wanted to join Manchester City. His agent at the time made public comments criticising the club, while Sterling himself refused to go on a pre-season tour. 

The saga dragged on, but eventually Liverpool accepted City’s £49 million offer. Sterling later enjoyed massive success at City, proving his gamble paid off.

Tevez’s case was one of the most dramatic. In 2011, the Argentine striker refused to come on as a substitute during a Champions League match against Bayern Munich, sparking outrage. 

He was fined and suspended, but Tevez was determined to leave. Though he later returned, his actions showed a complete breakdown between player and club. He eventually left for Juventus after winning multiple trophies with City.

Before his world-record move to Real Madrid, Bale made life difficult for Tottenham. The Welsh forward refused to train properly and was said to have isolated himself from the squad. 

His determination to join Real Madrid was clear, and Spurs eventually gave in, selling him for £85 million. Bale went on to win multiple Champions League titles in Spain, making the saga worthwhile for him.

Dembele’s departure from Dortmund was chaotic. After Barcelona’s first approach was rejected, Dembele failed to show up for training and even went missing for days, forcing the club’s hand.

Dortmund eventually suspended him, but by then the damage was done. Barcelona swooped in and signed him for over €100 million. The move angered Dortmund fans, who felt betrayed by his behaviour.

Modric had already tried to force a move to Chelsea the previous summer, but Spurs blocked it. When Real Madrid came calling, Modric took stronger action.

He refused to travel with the squad on a pre-season tour and made it clear he would not play for Spurs again if they stopped the move. In the end, Tottenham relented, and Modric joined Madrid, where he went on to become one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.

Gallas’s exit from Chelsea remains one of the most controversial in Premier League history. Chelsea accused him of refusing to play in matches, threatening to score own goals, and even refusing to return from holiday unless his transfer demands were met. 

Gallas eventually moved to Arsenal in a deal that sent Ashley Cole to Chelsea. His reputation took a hit, but his determination to force a transfer worked.