Newcastle United remain in limbo over Alexander Isak as he pushes for a Liverpool transfer.
Paul Merson believes Newcastle United supporters will not forget the way Alexander Isak has treated their club.
A summer of discontent has resulted in the striker downing tools at St James’ Park. Idolised by Toon fans just weeks ago, that love has eroded, with many now wanting Isak out of the club.
The Swede has not kicked a ball for the Magpies in pre-season as he angles for a Liverpool move. Isak trained at former club Real Sociedad rather than travel on Newcastle’s tour of Asia.
Eddie Howe on Alexander Isak
Speaking at the weekend, Eddie Howe, while not entirely nailing Isak publicly, strongly hinted that the decision for him not to play has been his own. He told reporters: "We've had discussions and it's clear at the moment that we can't involve him with the group. I don't know how long that will be for, but that's the latest.
"I'd want Alex to be playing today. I'd want him training tomorrow. We would love the player to be with us. Let me make that absolutely clear. There's no part of me that doesn't want that outcome, but I don't see the current situation changing for Aston Villa."
Paul Merson cannot believe transfer saga
Former Arsenal star Merson has been left baffled by Isak’s actions. Talking as a pundit on Sky Sports, the 57-year-old claimed Newcastle’s one-club-city nature does not bode well should he return.
“It’s an unbelievable situation Alexander Isak has put himself in,” Merson said. “He’s taking a big gamble by reportedly saying he’ll never play for Newcastle again.
“Newcastle is a big city, but it is a fish bowl in terms of football, with it being a one-club city. I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes if he doesn’t get his move. He’s upset a lot of Newcastle fans with his actions.
“If he doesn't get away before the transfer window closes, he will need to score some serious goals to get the Newcastle fans anywhere near back on side. If he leaves, he won’t be leaving Newcastle as a hero. Had he kept quiet, he still could have potentially gone for big money, giving Newcastle serious profit after giving his all to the club.
“He was a big part of that trophy success last season, and he would have been rightly remembered for it. Everyone could have shaken hands and been happy with the deal eventually. But that’s now completely gone.”
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Alan Pardew on Alexander Isak saga
Speaking to talkSPORT, ex-Newcastle boss Alan Pardew ripped into Isak for disrespecting a “great” football club. He said: "The transfer to me looks like it can't be done because Newcastle are going to dig their heels in now. I think they are angry. I would also be if I were on the Newcastle board. I would dig my heels in, so the fee could go really silly.
“The problem is, he's handled it so badly. He couldn't have handled it any worse. His agents and advisors have said to him to throw down the tools after serving that football club - a great football club by the way - and he's doing really bad things to hold them to ransom and more or less force a way out.”
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