Former Newcastle striker Andy Cole has sent a strong message to wantaway striker Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United
Alexander Isak(Image: Getty Images)
Alexander Isak will not be the first big-name player to leave Newcastle United should he get his transfer wish and move to Liverpool before deadline day.
While it's a far cry from the days when Newcastle sold their best players in the 1980s when the likes of Peter Beardsley, Chris Waddle and Paul Gascoigne were left for Liverpool and Tottenham, it does not mean United are immune from potentially damaging exits.
Even in the Premier League era, Newcastle have had to deal with shock transfers - none more so than when Andy Cole was sold to Manchester United in 1994.
Then manager Kevin Keegan famously took to the St James' Park steps to explain the decision to fans, with bigger plans up the Newcastle legend's sleeve.
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Cole and Keegan's relationship had soured, but the man who had smashed 68 goals in just 84 appearances for the Magpies had no intention of letting the club down despite his personal situation.
Now, with Isak unwilling to play for Eddie Howe's side as he tries to force through a move, Cole feels he is going about it the wrong way - and pointed to Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze as the perfect example.
“If a club came in for me and wants to buy me, there’s no way I’m not going to play for my respective club," he told esportsinsider.com. "Look at Eberechi Eze, that's the way you do it.
"You play, you perform and everyone's happy. So for me personally, Isak refusing to play is not the way to go about it. Just be professional.
"I remember I played for Newcastle in the FA Cup on Sunday, then I joined Manchester United on Tuesday. But we’re all different and we deal with things differently.”
Andy Cole celebrates during a Premier League clash with Arsenal in September 1993
Andy Cole celebrates for Newcastle in 1993(Image: (Photo by Professional Sport/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images))
Newcastle are now looking to sign at least one striker before transfer deadline day, and Cole feels it's something they must address.
“Eddie Howe has been trying to bring in players because they need more numbers," he added. "Also with Europe they’ll have more games than last season.
"Pre-season hasn't gone the way they would've liked it to have. They haven't won a game and then they drew at the weekend.
"Ultimately playing the way they did against Aston Villa, all that was missing was someone who could put the ball in the back of the net.”