Alexander Isak is desperate to secure a transfer from Newcastle to Liverpool, but his behaviour has been poorly received by some on the red half of Merseyside
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 1: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United reacts during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Fulham FC at St James' Park on February 1, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
The Alexander Isak transfer saga continues to rumble on(Image: Visionhaus, Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Alexander Isak's behaviour this summer has not just upset those associated with Newcastle United. The Swedish striker, who has been the subject of a rejected £110m bid from Liverpool, is currently attempting to force a move away from St James' Park.
Isak has been training alone after failing to travel for the pre-season tour of Asia. He also did not feature in Saturday's Premier League opener against Aston Villa, where Newcastle failed to score against 10 men, resulting in a goalless draw.
His stance has unsurprisingly infuriated both the Magpies' bosses and their fans, who have labelled the 25-year-old greedy and ungrateful. But key Liverpool figures have also expressed their disappointment with Isak's conduct, which could lead to some awkward exchanges should he eventually join the Reds. Here's what some former Liverpool stars have said about the Isak transfer saga...
Jamie Carragher
The most recognisable member of the Liverpool media contingent believes Isak has handled his desire to leave Newcastle poorly. The Sky Sports pundit told the i Paper: “Transfers happen every summer but I don’t think you should ever go toxic or nuclear where you refuse to play or train. That may be what forces the move in the end, so who am I to say it’s wrong? But I just don’t like it.
“They’re paying his wages, they’ve been great to you, you’ve been great for them, just keep training, keep playing and hope a deal gets done.”
Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports
Jamie Carragher isn't impressed with Isak's conduct
Meanwhile, Carragher has issued a warning about Newcastle's £150m valuation, stating on The Overlap: “It will be an amazing signing. But from a Liverpool fan point of view, I don't want the club to spend £150m on Isak.”
He also warned that bringing in Isak for such a hefty fee could negatively impact another summer signing, Hugo Ekitike. Carragher added: "There's something about Liverpool buying a striker [Ekitike] for £80m, and he's a back-up. There's something about it that doesn't sit right with me."
Dietmar Hamann
Former Liverpool and Newcastle midfielder Hamann agrees that £150m is too much money for Isak. The German said via Casino Sites: “I think it'll be very hard for Isak to go back to Newcastle now. Even if he doesn't join Liverpool, they've got to find a way of trying to integrate him back into the team.
"I suppose he will end up with Liverpool. But how are they going to play then? That remains to be seen. I wouldn't pay £150million.
"I think £150million is a spicy price tag for him. He's a very good player. We know he can score goals in the Premier League, but I wouldn't mind if Liverpool start the season with Ekitike up top.”
Hugo Ekitike celebrates
Dietmar Hamann is happy with Hugo Ekitike(Image: PA)
John Barnes
Another player who represented both clubs during a distinguished career, Barnes, is not impressed with Isak's behaviour. He told the Daily Mail: “I am not a big fan of it. If you are playing for a club, you have a responsibility to be a good team-mate and character, the fans have been great to you, but this is modern football.
“It could work in favour for Liverpool in terms of him coming, but, after the club has served him well, there are ways to do something. I don't like the idea of players not training or turning up for something if they want to move. But this is modern football and we have to get used to it.”
John Barnes
John Barnes is disappointed in Isak(Image: PA)
Michael Owen
Former Reds and Magpies striker Owen has insisted Liverpool cannot be blamed for the transfer stand-off, saying: “This is not a strange scenario. It's a high-profile scenario, but it's the same scenario as what happens all the time.
“There are a lot of simple things that go into the discussion. From Newcastle's point of view, they've got a player who's under contract, and they've got to weigh up the balance of the finances, what they could receive, maybe having an unhappy player, or maybe keeping someone against his will.”
Michael Owen looks into the distance
Michael Owen insists there is nothing strange about the Isak situation
John Aldridge
Instead of focusing on Isak, former Reds forward Aldridge has criticised Newcastle's approach to the matter, branding their £150m asking price "ludicrous". Writing in his Liverpool Echo column, Aldridge commented: "This is not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Isak is a top striker, but that sort of fee for a player who clearly wants to leave and has even gone on strike to get it over the line, I find incredible.
“It's a situation that has not been handled well up at Newcastle, but even their Saudi Arabian owners must realise it might be for the best to move him on and reinvest that money.”
Kevin Nolan celebrates with Andy Carroll
Andy Carroll never wanted to leave Newcastle for Liverpool
Andy Carroll
Carroll moved from Newcastle to Liverpool under vastly different circumstances in 2011, having been reluctant to depart his boyhood club. The Gateshead-born striker, 36, currently playing for Dagenham and Redbridge, has slammed Isak's actions, claiming he has burnt bridges with Magpies supporters.
He told Sky Sports: “The way he's playing his cards at the minute, the Newcastle fans are not going to back him. He's not going to help himself and it's a shame because he's such a good player and every Newcastle fan wants him to stay.
“It's not really the same as me because it's not his club. The Geordies took him in and made him one of their own but when he wants to go, that's his mind changed."