Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has revealed his true feelings regarding Alexander Isak's future at the club after the striker returned to training. Isak has made it clear in recent weeks that he is keen to explore options elsewhere amid interest from Liverpool, subsequently missing the club's pre-season tour of Asia.
Shearer slammed the club's handling of the situation, but since then, Isak has gone AWOL, trained at former team Real Sociedad's training ground, and now returned to Newcastle to continue his preparations for the season. And after what has become one of the most dramatic sagas of the summer, Shearer has revealed which side of the fence he is sitting on.
Shearer's Thoughts on Isak Saga
The iconic striker has not held back
Speaking on the Rest is Football Podcast, Shearer revealed he was not angry at Isak for deciding to leave, but admitted he had hoped the forward would stay for at least another season.
"I thought he might have stayed for another season and then this would have happened next summer. If he can't be persuaded to stay then, if someone offers Newcastle what they want, then you've got to take that. Ultimately, you just say, 'thank you very much for the great memories you've given us, off you go.
"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. If it really is impossible for Eddie to turn him around and he says no, and it sounds like that is the case, I want him to be out now.
"You get your big money for him, whoever's prepared to pay that, and you get other people in, hopefully beforehand, and then you move on. No individual is bigger than any football club."
Many fans online also chimed in to agree with Shearer's sentiment, with one fan adding: "If a player doesn’t want to play for the team he’s gotta go."
A second said: "I don’t think any club wants to keep a player who doesn’t want to be there. But the way Isak’s gone about things wouldn’t sit right with any club or set of fans," while a third concluded: "Spot on really. Thankful for what he’s done for us but if his head is gone let him go and rebuild with the cash."
A fourth posted: "I don't agree with abusing the player, but the whole thing is toxic. Liverpool tapping up a player after they have an enquiry for £125m denied. They then come back and offer £110m after they've unsettled him," while a fifth stated: "He is not wrong, when a player isn't 100% committed, the best thing to do is find the best solution for both parties and go separate ways."
All statistics courtesy of the Premier League - accurate as of 04/08/2025.