Alexander Isak has made headlines this summer for his dramatic Liverpool transfer saga, but club legend Michael Owen has defended the Newcastle United striker's choices
Alexander Isak arrives for a match
Alexander Isak is looking for a move from Newcastle United
(Image: Serena Taylor, Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Michael Owen has refrained from condemning Alexander Isak's conduct at Newcastle this summer as he spoke about the striker's "desperation" to join Liverpool. The Swedish star has been strongly tipped for a switch to the Reds after confessing he hopes to weigh up his alternatives away from St James' Park.
There has been widespread criticism of the 25-year-old in recent weeks given how he has managed his circumstances. Isak skipped his team's pre-season trip to Asia, choosing instead to train with his former club, Real Sociedad.
It is also understood that he is now refusing to represent Newcastle again, irrespective of whether he can engineer a transfer to Anfield before September 1. Speaking to Chronicle Live via 247Bet, Owen has delivered his assessment of Isak's behaviour, and it doesn't mirror the stances of many pundits who have criticised Isak.
The 45-year-old, who represented 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
Michael Owen has spoken about Alexander Isak(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 finds himself largely isolated in his assessment of Isak's predicament, with numerous other pundits condemning the striker for his conduct in recent weeks. Speaking to Wayne Rooney on Match of the Day, who explained he had found himself in similar circumstances to Isak when he sought to leave Manchester United, Alan Shearer said: "But you put in a transfer request.
"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.
Alan Shearer speaks alongside Wayne Rooney
Alan Shearer spoke to Wayne Rooney about Alexander Isak on Match of the Day
(Image: BBC)
"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 didn't mince his words when speaking to 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."
Liverpool are yet to make a second bid for Isak after their initial offer of £110million plus add-ons was promptly turned down by United earlier this month, and it's still uncertain whether the Reds will return with a better proposal. Given that Isak has now openly shared his wish to leave the club, the Magpies might be willing to negotiate on their £150m valuation of the star.
Alexander Isak at St. James' Park
Alexander Isak wants to leave Newcastle United this summer
(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
However, Newcastle will still need to find suitable replacements for their talisman before allowing him to depart Tyneside. A move for Brentford's Yoane Wissa, who has reportedly shown an interest in joining the club, is still struggling to advance due to a discrepancy in valuations.
After remaining largely quiet as the transfer saga has unfolded, Isak took to Instagram on Tuesday evening to share his perspective. 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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