Alexander Isak has told Newcastle he wants to leave the club this summer amid interest from Liverpool, and Alan Shearer is now convinced he knows how the transfer saga will play out
Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak has returned to Newcastle amid interest from Liverpool
(Image: Getty Images)
At the end of last season, Alan Shearer was certain that Alexander Isak would remain at Newcastle United. However, just over two months later, the Magpies' star striker has dropped a transfer bombshell after expressing his desire to explore other opportunities away from St James' Park, leaving Shearer to perform a remarkable 180 on his stance.
Speaking The Rest is Football Podcast in May, Shearer was confident that Newcastle's recent success provided them with considerable clout in retaining Isak, just before Liverpool's interest emerged.
The Magpies icon said: "Got to keep him and they will, I'm pretty sure of that. Because of their success this year and because they're in the Champions League... there's not a worry in my mind that he's going anywhere. He'll be a Newcastle player next season. He's a very, very, very good player."
Since joining from Real Sociedad in 2022, Isak has netted 62 goals for Newcastle. One of those goals even contributed to Newcastle beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup last season - the club's first major trophy in nearly 70 years.
Their Swedish talisman also played a crucial role in securing Champions League football as they finished fifth.
All signs indicated that Isak would stand by the club as they embarked on a new era of success, supported by their affluent owners, albeit with PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) looming over them.
Newcastle and their supporters have been caught off guard by the unfolding saga. Not only has Isak expressed his desire to consider leaving the club, but he had also declined to participate in the club's pre-season activities before returning to training on Monday.
Alan Shearer looks on
Alan Shearer was convinced that Alexander Isak would remain at Newcastle this summer
(Image: Michael Regan, Getty Images)
The 25-year-old chose not to accompany Newcastle on their Far East tour, and was also sent home from a preseason match against Celtic, with Eddie Howe stating that the player wasn't in the right frame of mind. The club cited a 'minor thigh injury' as the reason for his absence.
However, the situation took a twist when Liverpool submitted a staggering £110 million bid for Isak - an offer that Newcastle promptly rejected, leading the striker to train alone at his former club Sociedad. Newcastle are now considering RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko.
A second bid has now been submitted for Sesko after the initial offer was turned down, as they aim to secure a replacement should Liverpool return with another substantial offer for the unsettled Isak. Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe still hopes to see his star player in black and white next season.
On The Rest is Football this week, Shearer dramatically changed his tune from 72 days ago, performing a U-turn and insisting that if Isak's position remains unchanged, then Newcastle will have no option but to show him the door, reports the Mirror.
Alan Shearer and Alexander Isak meet
Alan Shearer now believes Newcastle should take the money for Isak
(Image: Getty)
"No, I'm not angry at all towards him," Shearer said. "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 I know how it works, and obviously Liverpool have been into him or his agent.
"I just thought it might have happened next year and 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.
"As I said, 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 for the memories, off you go. "