Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has been shown up by Eberechi Eze, who is the subject of serious speculation over his future.
The transfer saga has been the biggest story to come out of Tyneside this summer, despite a busy summer with several arrivals and departures.
Alexander Isak is currently on strike from Newcastle United, with the hope that he can force a move away from the Magpies to join Liverpool. In July, Liverpool made an offer of £110million for Isak, which was quickly rejected by Newcastle’s board members.
The message has been clear as ever: Newcastle do not want to sell Isak, and if he were to go, it would have to be for a fee in the region of £150million.
Wayne Rooney criticised Isak for refusing to play for Newcastle, and even went as far as to suggest that Liverpool may be reluctant to sign him due to the way he has handled the situation.
While Isak is yet to face the music, the Sweden international could learn a thing or two from Eberechi Eze, whose future at Crystal Palace is under speculation.
Eberechi Eze celebrates after scoring in a Premier League game between Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Eberechi Eze plays for Crystal Palace amid Tottenham Hotspur transfer links
England international Eze is hoping to pick up where he left off last season, having helped Palace win the FA Cup after a brilliant Premier League season.
Eze starred in Palace’s Community Shield win against Liverpool in August, though he missed a penalty in the shootout. Now, reports have stated that Eze is of serious interest to Tottenham and has already agreed personal terms with Thomas Frank’s side. Work still needs to be done between the two clubs, but it is looking increasingly likely that he will become a Tottenham player this summer.
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While there is a lot of speculation around his future, Eze has still been given the nod of approval from Oliver Glasner to play.
Not long into the game, Eze fired in a free-kick to put Palace 1-0 up against Chelsea, only for it to be ruled out for obstruction.
Eze has taught Isak a thing or two about how a player should act when there is speculation around their future. You carry on working and giving your all to the club that gave you a chance.
Alexander Isak told he can return to the Newcastle United squad
Andy Carroll was quick to criticise Isak when asked about the transfer situation. It gets clearer as each day goes by that the 25-year-old will struggle to regain the trust of the fans.
Another thing which becomes clearer every day is that the likelihood of Isak leaving Newcastle becomes slimmer. The transfer window closes in two weeks, so Liverpool or any other interested party will need to act fast if they want to sign him.
While bridges are being burned, Eddie Howe is still hopeful that Isak can come to his senses and return to the squad in the future.
“The door is well and truly open, but he (Isak) needs to decide what he wants to do,” Howe said in his post-match press conference.
“We’d like a resolution; we need that clarity. I’m not in control of it, but only one person is. I’ve made my stance pretty clear.”