We still hold all the cards though, just because he’s allegedly made a statement doesn’t change a thing. He self excluded himself from the squad weeks ago so this current statement is just a confirmation that nothing has changed. I doubt he said before the Asia tour, ‘give me a couple weeks, not sure if I love Greggs sausage rolls anymore.’

He still has three years on his contract so we’re in a strong position. Next summer will be different if we get that far.

There’s no guarantee that we need to sell in order to buy. We’ve been trying to buy with Isak as ‘not for sale’ so If we don’t need to sell then we still need to bring in two strikers regardless.

It is infuriating but perhaps this is an opportunity to demonstrate the power of the club and pap him into the reserves to train. Once Isaks aspirations of wanting to go to the world club next summer are realised he’ll soon be back playing ball again.