Alan Shearer admitted he expects Liverpool transfer target Alexander Isak to leave Newcastle this summer and has spoken out about the striker's behaviour amid the ongoing saga
Alan Shearer speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast
Alan Shearer believes Newcastle will lose star striker Alexander Isak this summer
(Image: YouTube/The Rest is Football)
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has let out his frustrations about Liverpool's pursuit of Alexander Isak in a WhatsApp group chat with Gary Lineker. However, the 54-year-old is not angry at the situation and believes his former club will likely lose the striker to the Reds.
The Swedish marksman, who scored 23 times in the Premier League last season, made his intentions clear last month when telling the Magpies he wished to explore a move away. He subsequently missed Newcastle's pre-season tour of Asia and opted to train with former employers Real Sociedad.
Arne Slot's Reds first approached the 25-year-old informally, but last week, an opening £110million bid was tabled, though it was swiftly rejected. An asking price of £150m has been mooted.
The ECHO understands that Liverpool currently considers it pointless to return with an improved offer, but that hasn't stopped Newcastle icon Shearer from voicing his belief that Isak will eventually seal a move this window.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast alongside co-hosts Micah Richards and Lineker, Shearer openly discussed Newcastle's summer window so far and the ongoing Isak saga.
"We've had some of your frustrations on our group chat over the last few weeks," began Lineker, prompting Shearer to open up about Isak.
Alexander Isak applauds the fans
Isak was the subject of a huge offer from Liverpool last week
"I think up until now it's been a disastrous window for Newcastle," Shearer began. "They're probably gonna lose their best player, one of the league's best centre forwards, if not the best.
"But I'm okay with the situation. I thought he might have stayed for another summer, and then this would have happened next summer. But it is what it is.
"If he can't be persuaded to stay, then if someone offers Newcastle what they want, then they've got to take that because, ultimately, you just say, 'Thank you very much for the great memories you've given us, and off you go.'"
Asked by Lineker if Isak's absence from Newcastle's pre-season tour and his behaviour surrounding the deal have elicited any anger from Shearer, he replied: "It's football, Gaz.
"I'm not angry at all towards him. I understand how football works. I know what happens in and around the game. I probably understand his mentality.
"Do I like it? Do I understand it? Probably two different things, but I know what football is about and how it works. Obviously, Liverpool has been onto him and his agent.
"I just thought it might have happened next year. But if it really is impossible for Eddie [Howe] to turn him around, you get your big money for him, you get other people in, hopefully before, and then you move on.
"No individual is bigger than any football club, and if he doesn't want to be there, fine, get what you can and get him out and say, 'Thanks very much.'"