Alan Shearer has called for Newcastle United to bring an end to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Alexander Isak's future amid interest from Liverpool
Alan Shearer has been talking Newcastle and Alexander Isak amid ongoing interest from Liverpool
Alan Shearer has been talking Newcastle and Alexander Isak amid ongoing interest from Liverpool
(Image: Spotify/The Rest is Football podcast)
Alan Shearer has urged Newcastle United to sort out the ongoing doubts over Alexander Isak after a "disaster" pre-season. Liverpool and Isak have been issued a firm ultimatum by Newcastle - no increased offer for the striker means no move to Anfield.
The Magpies rejected a £110m bid from Liverpool, who have yet to return with a new proposal. The Premier League champions are, however, keeping a watchful eye on developments in the North East.
Presently, Isak is training separately from his team-mates at Darsley Park and Eddie Howe, the Newcastle manager, has already suggested that it's unlikely the forward will play in their Premier League opening match at Aston Villa on Saturday (August 16).
And a new report today (August 12) suggests that Isak, who scored in the Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool at Wembley in March, has told the Magpies he will not play for the club again.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Newcastle legend Shearer has had his say on the saga. "Disaster pre-season. Absolute disaster. Where do I start? One win. All of the talk has been about Isak," he said, reports the Mirror.
"It has been a disaster for them, it really has. After what should have been, I thought, a time for Newcastle to kick on, after winning a trophy, after getting into the Champions League.
"I thought it was the time to go out and bring in three or four big players and I thought that was going to happen.
"I've said about the chief executive and sporting director, I think it's nonsense they have not had those in, whether that has hampered them or not, I guess it has.
"They need to sort the situation out as quickly as possible with Isak. I guess he stays, until they get someone in and Eddie can maybe talk him around - if that isn't possible then (they need to sell him).
"They've just got to get some players in. They needed a forward anyway, so now they need two centre-forwards."
Newcastle are reportedly playing hardball over a deal for Liverpool, with initial expectations of a £150m fee to release the former Real Sociedad striker.
However, reports from The Chronicle suggest that an offer of £130m – potentially setting a new British transfer record – plus add-ons might just tip the scales for a sale.
After a 27-goal haul last season, Isak was front and centre in Newcastle's third kit reveal, posing with club icon Tino Asprilla at the Tyneside Irish Centre, but his image has since vanished from the club shop.
Liverpool begin their campaign at home to Bournemouth on Friday (August 15).
Their next match after that is a trip to Newcastle on Monday, August 25.