Every transfer window a player’s head is turned, but the tactics used to navigate their desires differ dramatically. Here, Mo Stewart speaks to those who have experienced it first-hand.Not for sale.A phrase heard often during the madness of the transfer window. Those three little words are supposed to signal the end of discussions, but more often than not it’s the opposite, as clubs try to decide what to do about a prized asset that wants to leave.It’s a scenario that’s played out across the Premier League this summer, with the likes of Yoane Wissa and Morgan Gibbs-White expressing desires to move on, much to the despair of their parent clubs.For all of Liverpool’s remarkable efficiency in the current window, they’ve been wrapped up in a number of similar sagas.The club slapped ‘not for sale’ signs on both of their senior left wingers – Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz – and were given the same answer when enquiring about Newcastle‘s star striker, Alexander Isak.The fact that it appears that only one of that trio will not be sold shows the messy and complicated nature of these negotiations. And that’s before we mention the protracted departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold.Conventional wisdom suggests that once a player has had their head turned, it’s only a matter of time before they move on, for the good of all parties. But is that really the case?Is it impossible for a wantaway player to be welcomed back into the fold? What effect do these transfer sagas have on their teammates, and what level of influence do they have on each other’s decisions?In order to try and answer these questions, I spoke to a range of former players, current coaches and journalists who have been in the middle of such situations.To protect relationships, all sources shall remain anonymous. No hard and fast ruleThe dressing room is a delicate ecosystem. Players with different personalities, from different backgrounds, with different priorities are all required to come together for a common cause.Someone deciding that they no longer want to be a part of that group – particularly when it’s the star player like Isak – can bring up a myriad of emotions.One player who had been through that scenario told me: “It was difficult for the squad. You’ve got to get your head around the fact that you’re losing a top player. It affects the culture of the club, that team spirit, that togetherness. You want the best for your pal, but also you can understand both perspectives (player and club). It’s not an easy situation.”Another source agreed: “No matter how professional players want to be, it is very uncomfortable for a dressing room. They will know their team-mate is under strain, they will wonder what it’ll mean for the club if he’s sold, they will also wonder what it means for their own careers.”Often, these situations can be brewing for some time before they become public.Even amongst teammates who are close, the desire to leave can remain a guarded secret: “Some personalities, regardless of how well they get on with the dressing room, prefer not to divulge any details about their transfer intentions as to not put any team-mate in an uncomfortable situation. I’ve received messages from players before asking what the truth is with one of their team-mates or even the manager.”The rumours of Manchester City’s agreement with Diaz were dismissed last summer, but the Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed in March that there was indeed concrete interest, which seemed to be confirmed after the eventual departure of Diaz to Bayern Munich.There have been no suggestions that his Liverpool teammates played a part in persuading him to stay, but reports have intimated that some senior Newcastle players have tried to influence Isak’s decision. As with many elements of this situation, my research has found that there’s no hard and fast rule: “Some players stay neutral because they feel the pressure, stress and coverage is already too intense. Some believe it is not their business.“Those who feel extra responsibility for the team often do try to sway a decision – Steven Gerrard with Luis Suarez and Arsenal being a case in point. It depends on the bonds and the personalities involved.“It can also depend on your place in the pecking order. For those trying to break into the first XI, losing a big player can be a positive: “From a personal point of view, I really wanted him to go, because you begin to chart your pathway and you think, well, if he moves, that’s me one step closer. You’re totally selfish from a player perspective.” A clear dichotomyHerein lies the contradictions of team sports. The cliche ‘We win as a team, we lose as a team’ is only true up to a point. That team is constantly changing, and players, managers and fans invoke this collective spirit – or ignore it – where they see fit.Isak is being accused by Newcastle fans of a lack of loyalty to a team who broke their transfer record to sign him from Real Sociedad at a time when many clubs were unsure, and to a manager who helped turn him into a world-class player.Based on my conversations, it’s likely that those within the dressing room see things differently: “One massively important thing fans can often forget or not realise is that the players are not fans of the club they play. They are professional players trying to do what’s best for them, not the club.“They might love being at a club, but no way will that stop them moving on somewhere else if it suits them for family or money. I often hear fans say, ‘Why would he want to leave?’, but they aren’t loyal to the club like fans are.”Another source reminded me that there are two sides to this theme: “Players know how ruthless it can be when the tables are turned and a club is trying to push you out the door.“I remember a player once saying to me, ‘If a club wants you gone, they will do everything in their power to move you on. Why should we not do the same if we want to go?’”Everything in their power can include refusing to go on tour, training at the facilities of your former club or, in the case of Wissa, threatening to never play for the club again.Everyone of a Liverpool persuasion remembers Philippe Coutinho’s phantom back injury, or the Luis Suarez interview with a national newspaper where he was pleading to be allowed to join Arsenal.But the tactics that we don’t see are often even more extreme: “I remember joining a club where one player was desperate to leave. The first time I got picked up…team bus, away game. This player was scribbling our team name off the headrest and writing another team’s name!!! He didn’t care. It was that blatant.”These antics can stick in the craw of most observers, but again, there’s more understanding from their peers: “There will be players that applaud if you remain committed, but there are those who will realise that you need to force your way out.“I’ll use the Coutinho situation as an example – even Jurgen Klopp was hurt by how emotionally taxed the Brazilian was and he would have sanctioned the sale to Barcelona in the summer.”That level of understanding is important on the occasions that players come back from the brink.Coutinho, like Suarez before him, had his best period in a red shirt after returning from exile. Neither Diaz nor Joe Gomez showed any lingering ill feeling from prospective moves that didn’t happen.Newcastle will hope that Isak can be reintegrated like Anthony Gordon was 12 months ago. Gibbs-White perhaps went further than all of the others mentioned, but will still be wearing the captain’s armband at Nottingham Forest this coming season.One player admitted that while it’s not easy to return with your tail between your legs, it’s not impossible: “I can imagine it’s difficult. If it’s a player who’s not been performing or has got ideas above their station, then, you hold it against them.“I would personally, if a player got a bit too big for their boots. You’ve upset the culture of the team. And it’s something that you work on. But I think when you’ve performed well, the players are very quick to forgive.” Another source added: “They all know deep down it could be them next that gets a big offer.” No point of no returnSetting a precedent for future situations is a reason regularly cited for the actions of clubs and fans.Many Liverpool fans who booed Alexander-Arnold were hoping to send a message to any other players thinking of running down their contract to run to Madrid, such as Ibrahima Konate.Newcastle have been warned on countless TV debates and phone-ins that blocking Isak’s path to a bigger club could cause them even more problems in recruiting new players.However, it might not be the players that are reluctant to do business: “Players are wise enough to know each individual scenario is different, but their representatives definitely take notes – not just on how clubs deal with players that want to leave, but how they sign wantaway players from elsewhere too.“I will never forget one agent telling me that Liverpool were having it easy with Coutinho and he’d have his clients kicking up way more of a fuss.”It remains to be seen if Isak is willing to kick up more of a fuss, such as handing in an official transfer request – a move that usually will come at a financial cost to a player.You can never say never in football, but ultimately to those who have been there, Isak’s departure appears inevitable: “If he’s going to go, he’s going to go.“It’s unfair to stop the progress of his career. The best scenario for everybody is he goes and trains on his own while Liverpool and Newcastle come to the conclusion. Newcastle have got a prized asset there, so it’s a little game of cat and mouse. Liverpool are trying to keep it to a reasonable fee, and I think a reasonable fee would be probably £130, £140 million.”What all of this tells us is that football very rarely deals in definitives. Every rule can be broken, every stance softened. There is no point of no return.As one source reminded me: “You’d be amazed how quickly things change in football.” Even when searching for his replacement, Newcastle have maintained that Isak is not for sale. Let’s wait and see, shall we?