EXCLUSIVE: Michael Owen has addressed Alexander Isak's dramatic transfer saga this summer, explaining that he understands how the player is feeling while refusing to speak ill of the striker
Alexander Isak at St. James' Park
Alexander Isak wants to leave Newcastle United this summer(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Michael Owen stopped short of criticising Alexander Isak's behaviour at Newcastle United like his fellow pundits.
The Swedish striker has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool after admitting that he hopes to explore his options away from St James' Park. There has been a wealth of condemnation of the 25-year-old over the past couple of weeks given the way he has handled the situation.
Isak missed his side's pre-season tour of Asia, instead opting to train at his old club, Real Sociedad. It is also believed that he is now refusing to ever turn out for United again, regardless of whether he's able to secure a move to Anfield ahead of September 1.
However, speaking exclusively to Chronicle Live via 247Bet, Owen has given his verdict on the situation and didn't follow the lead of many pundits who have slammed Isak. The 45-year-old, who turned out for the Magpies between 2005 and 2009, said: "He's laid his cards on the table, hasn't he?
"It's quite clear that he wants to move. Whether Newcastle fans would forgive and forget is a big question. I don't know. I mean, he's done exceptionally well for them, you know, they've won a trophy, they're into the Champions League.
"He's done his side of the bargain quite clearly by his statement. He feels like that's enough and that they've had previous chats which suggest that he's almost not free to leave but, you know, if certain things were done then he might be free to go, but it doesn't seem like Newcastle are playing that game."
He added: "This whole scenario is an interesting one because nine times out of 10 when a move comes about it's normally a club forcing a player and nobody's bothered, nobody says anything despite any kids that are in school or any families that have settled in an area or anything else like that.
Michael Owen looks on
Owen put himself in Isak's shoes(Image: 2023 James Gill - Danehouse)
"Nobody cares really about a footballer. But when it's on the other foot, it's really interesting to see that everybody, you know, the whole world goes into meltdown and how dare somebody try and force a move through? I'm not going to sit here and criticise Isak.
"I wouldn't have done that myself in terms of the actions he's taken, but I do get that he's a great player that wants to get to the top of his game and he's obviously not being allowed the move that he's desperate for. And you get one short career and he's wanting to join probably the best team in the world at the moment.
"I get it from his point of view. It's just a sad situation when it's played out in the world's press and he's obviously not coming out well, let's say, from a reputational point of view.”
Owen is largely alone in his views of Isak's situation, with a number of other pundits criticising the striker for his behaviour over the past month or so. Speaking to Wayne Rooney on Match of the Day, who admitted he had been in a similar position to Isak when he asked to leave Manchester United, Alan Shearer said: "But you put in a transfer request.
Alan Shearer speaks alongside Wayne Rooney
Alan Shearer spoke to Wayne Rooney about Alexander Isak on Match of the Day
(Image: BBC)
"You didn't refuse to train, you didn't refuse to play, so there is a way to do it and Alex is not going about it the right way at all. You have to feel sorry for the players and the manager.
"The players today are busting a gut for the football club, for the thousands of fans that have travelled all that way to Villa Park. They're giving their all. Yet they're looking at another player, wherever he is, refusing to play despite having a three-year contract and on over £100,000-a-week. [The fans] are paying £60 or £70 for a ticket, £30 for petrol or a train ticket.
"You can imagine the anger that they're feeling that someone is taking the liberty of saying, 'I'm refusing to play.' You just can't do that when you've got a three-year contract."
Meanwhile, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher also failed to hold his tongue in conversation with iNews. He said: "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."
Alexander Isak arrives at a stadium
Isak looks to have burnt his bridges at St James'(Image: PA)
Liverpool are yet to return with a second bid for Isak after their initial offer of £110million plus add-ons was swiftly rejected by United earlier this month, and it remains to be seen as to whether the Reds will come back with an improved offer. Given Isak has now publicly spoken about his desire to leave the club, the Magpies may offer a little wiggle room on their £150m valuation of the star.
However, United will still need to recruit suitable replacements for their talisman before letting him leave Tyneside. A move for Brentford's Yoane Wissa, who has reportedly shared an interest in joining the club, is still struggling to progress due to a discrepancry in valuations.
After staying largely silent as the transfer saga has unfolded, Isak took to Instagram on Tuesday evening to give his side of the story. He wrote: "I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn't reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.
"The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.
"When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. That's where things are for me right now - and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself."
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