Alexander Isak has been at the centre of a toxic transfer saga this summer as he looks to leave Newcastle United and join Liverpool, who have already seen one large bid rejected
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Alexander Isak meets Newcastle United Legend Alan Shearer at the Newcastle United Training Ground on January 11, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Alan Shearer, who interviewed Alexander Isak last year, thinks the player's agent should be sacked
(Image: Serena Taylor, Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Alan Shearer has urged Alexander Isak to "sack his agent on the spot" for giving him "bad advice". The Liverpool target has broken his silence amid efforts to engineer a move away from Newcastle, accusing the club of breaking promises in a social media statement.
Newcastle quickly responded, denying Isak's claims and even left the door open for the 25-year-old to return to the fold. That is despite his desire to join the Reds, who have seen a £110million offer turned down so far.
Newcastle remain steadfast in their position, refusing to consider any bids beneath their £150m valuation of the striker, who remains tied to the club until 2028.
Having made it clear he no longer wishes to play for the Magpies, Isak's standing among Newcastle fans has been damaged, possibly beyond repair.
But club legend Shearer believes the player's agent, Vlado Lemic, must take a portion of the blame and has urged Isak to sever ties with his representative. Shearer believes Isak and Lemic were foolish to pin their hopes on an alleged 'gentleman's agreement' which would have allowed him to leave for a lower price this summer.
Shearer told Betfair: "I mean, oh my God, what a f***ing mess his agent has made of this, honestly. If I was him [Isak], I'd get his agent in a room and sack him on the spot immediately, because he is meant to be giving him the advice to sign that six‐year deal and there's no get‐out clause.
Alan Shearer
Shearer says Isak has been guilty of naivety (Image: Getty)
"I mean, it's ridiculous. And to take anyone's word in football... it's nonsensical to say that someone said, 'Oh, I'll be able to get out at the end of the season.' Really? I mean, come on."
The Newcastle star was reportedly assured of a lucrative fresh deal by Amanda Staveley. However, she and her spouse, Mehrdad Ghodoussi, offloaded their ownership stake to the Saudi Public Investment Fund in July 2024.
It's understood that Paul Mitchell, who subsequently arrived as the club's sporting director, halted discussions with the striker, reasoning that the three years remaining on his existing deal meant a renewal wasn't required.
Alexander Isak reacts during a game
It's hard to see Isak playing for Newcastle again
Shearer has now urged Isak to reveal precisely what assurances were given to him to clear up the matter. Rather than criticising Isak, the former England striker intensified his attack on the player's representative. He added: "Newcastle have also released a statement saying that promises were not broken, or promises were never made. I've always said there are two sides to every story, but my feelings are exactly the same: he's gone about it in the wrong way.
"I get that he might want to join a huge football club in Liverpool. I understand that, and I understand that they're regularly going to be competing for trophies. But we also need to know, who promised him? What did they promise him? When did they promise him, if that is the case? Newcastle have totally denied that.
"I'd also ask the question, who's advising him? He signed his six‐year contract without a release clause in it. That is his doing, that is his agent's doing. Now, if they foresaw someone trying to get out early, then before they signed that they were in a really strong position. They should have had a get‐out clause in it. That would be my take on it.
"Everything sort of boils down to: I think he's being given bad advice and the way he's going about it is wrong, I really do."