Alan Shearer was convinced Alexander Isak would remain at Newcastle at the end of last season, only for the Liverpool target to rock the Toon legend this summer with his wish to explore his options
12:29, 05 Aug 2025
Alexander Isak and Alan Shearer pose for a photo
Alexander Isak may leave Alan Shearer red faced with his decision(Image: Serena Taylor, Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Just a couple of months ago, Alan Shearer was certain that Alexander Isak would remain at Newcastle United.
However, the Toon's top striker has since thrown a spanner in the works by sharing his desire to explore his options away from Tyneside, leaving Shearer somewhat red-faced. On The Rest is Football back in May, Shearer was confident that Newcastle's recent triumphs gave them a strong hand in retaining their star player.
He 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 his move from Real Sociedad in 2022, Isak has netted 62 goals for Newcastle. One of those goals even clinched the Carabao Cup for the Magpies against Liverpool last season, their first major trophy in nearly seven decades.
The Swedish sensation also played a key role in securing a Champions League spot for the new season as they finished fifth in the Premier League. All signs pointed to Isak sticking with the club as they embarked on a successful new chapter, backed by their deep-pocketed owners, despite looming PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) concerns.
But now, Newcastle and their supporters have been blindsided by Isak's decision to explore a move away from St. James' Park. The 25-year-old chose not to join Newcastle on their pre-season tour of Singapore and South Korea, and was sent home from a pre-season match against Celtic, with manager Eddie Howe citing the player's mental state as the reason for the move.
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The club initially attributed his absence to a 'minor thigh injury,' but the plot thickened when Liverpool submitted a whopping £110million bid for Isak – an offer that Newcastle promptly turned down. The forward then began training solo at his former club of Sociedad.
Alan Shearer holds a microphone on the pitch
Alan Shearer was convinced that Alexander Isak would remain at Newcastle this summer(Image: Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Newcastle currently have their sights set on RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, and a second bid of £69.7million has been made for the striker after their initial offer was rebuffed as they prepare for the possibility of Liverpool returning with another substantial offer for their unsettled star.
Despite the turmoil, Howe has maintained he still holds some hope of retaining his key player for the upcoming season.
Returning to The Rest is Football this week, though, Shearer dramatically changed his tune on Isak while explaining that if he continues on his current path, Newcastle will have no option but to show him the door. He said: "No, 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.
Alexander Isak applauds fans
Alexander Isak could be on his way out the doors of St. James' Park(Image: Getty Images)
"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."
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Shearer's brave opinion that Isak "isn't going anywhere" and his recent 180 on the matter somewhat threatens to embarrass him. Isak seems hellbent on securing a move to Liverpool this summer from the outside looking in, while Newcastle may find themselves planning for a future without him in the coming days.