Alexander Isak could leave Newcastle as a free agent next summer thanks to a FIFA rule change.
The Swedish striker would have the opportunity to rip up his contract two years early in June 2026.
It comes as he remains at a stalemate with the Magpies regarding his future at St. James’ Park.
Isak is not currently training with the first-team squad and missed Saturday’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa.
Liverpool have been keen on signing the 25-year-old throughout the summer after having a £110million rejected earlier this month.
However, Newcastle have reiterated Isak is not for sale after he claimed the club had ‘broken promises’ in a bombshell statement.
ESPN’s Gabriele Marcotti has now revealed that a tweak to FIFA’s transfer rules could allow the forward to force through an exit.
It follows a legal case involving former Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra last year.
Following a court ruling, FIFA were forced to change Article 17 of their Regulations on Transfer and Status of Players.
The alterations removed the governing body’s power to withhold a player’s transfer certificate if they breached their contract to join a new club for free.
FIFA had previously been able to block the move until the matter had been resolved.
The burden of proof has also shifted to the club losing the player to prove the signing club colluded with him to breach their contract.
Alexander Isak's bombshell statement
Isak wrote on Instagram: “I’m proud to be recognised by my fellow professionals with a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season for 2024/25.
“First and foremost I want to thank my teammates and everyone at Newcastle United who has supported me along the way.
“I’m not at the ceremony tonight. With everything going on, it didn’t feel right to be there.
“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. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.
“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.”
How can Isak leave Newcastle for free?
As a result, Isak could potentially join a new club as a free agent next summer if Newcastle do not sell him before the end of the current window.
Article 17 can be invoked within 15 days of the final match of the season, with the Toon Army’s final Premier League fixture of this term scheduled for May 24, 2026.
This would give Isak until June 8 to unilaterally breach his contract and be free to sign for a new club on July 1, two years before his deal expires.
Although Newcastle would be entitled to compensation, this figure could be as little as half of Liverpool’s rejected bid, says Marcotti.
That figure is determined by the ‘damage suffered’ by the club in relation to FIFA’s ‘positive interest’ principle.
The process is applied on a case-to-case basis, with Marcotti stating that in this instance Isak’s remaining wages, his value to Newcastle and the cost of replacing him would be considered.
Newcastle would also be able to appeal any compensation decision by FIFA to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
However, whilst this could take up to two years, the rule changes would allow Isak to join a new club immediately.
It would mean the team signing him can do so for free without having to pay a transfer fee for potentially two years.
The prospect of having to wait so long to receive compensation could force Newcastle into selling Isak this month.
Since his arrival from Real Sociedad in 2022, he has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances for the club.
Isak also found the net in the club’s Carabao Cup final victory last season as they ended their 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.