Alexander Isak has dominated the headlines throughout the summer transfer window for all the wrong reasons.
Liverpool made an opening bid for Isak at the beginning of August believed to be a British transfer record fee, which was swiftly rejected by the Magpies.
While Newcastle United have reiterated the stance that Isak will not be sold this summer, it is believed the club would be willing to part with the striker for the right price and once two suitable replacements are acquired.
Nevertheless, Isak reportedly downed tools at St James’ Park amid the ongoing saga and is doing everything in his power to force through a transfer to Anfield before the 1 September deadline.
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And Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has been vocal on his thoughts regarding the situation in recent weeks and has now offered a fresh perspective on the Swede.
Alan Shearer would welcome Alexander Isak back at Newcastle
When discussing Isak’s situation on The Rest Is Football podcast, Micah Richards raised the question to Shearer whether he would welcome the striker back into the first team fold should he remain at St James’ Park this season.
Richards asks, “Would you welcome him back, Al? Is there a way back for Isak?”
Shearer replied: “Yeah, I’d think so. Yeah, there is (a way back). I think it would have to be done before the transfer window closes. If that is going to happen, and that’s a big if, a huge if, a very unlikely if. If it’s going to happen, then I think it has to happen before the window closes.
“Because otherwise it’s just, ‘oh I’m stuck here and I have to play, or I have to do this’. He’s made his feelings known, but, yeah, I think there’s always a way back.”
Shearer has refused to openly berate Isak to his credit; tensions are running high in the North East, and the saga is playing out as a poorly handled public farce, regardless of individual standpoint.
Isak broke his silence with a bombshell statement on Instagram, as he was due to attend the PFA awards, where he was named in the 2024/25 Team of the Season.
TBR Football understands Isak is confident of securing a move to Liverpool, but of course, his future will ultimately be decided by whether the Magpies can secure replacements, most notably Yoane Wissa, before the deadline.
There may be no way back for Alexander Isak at Newcastle
The 25-year-old’s public statement feels like a turning point in the saga, as the Swede suggested Newcastle have broken promises.
It is never a pleasant sight to see a player outright refuse to participate in club duties and openly exclude himself from his teammates, but that is the situation facing Isak and Newcastle.
Indeed, a large section of Magpies fans are demanding that the club refuse the Swede’s wishes and force him to train with the Under-21s for the rest of the campaign, but that would do more harm than good.
All football fans can sympathise with the Newcastle faithful and how they are feeling at this moment in time, but if Isak’s departure results in a British transfer record fee for the club, the ends ultimately outweigh the means.