Former Manchester United and Everton star Wayne Rooney has said what he would be thinking if he were Alexander Isak’s teammate at Newcastle United.
In an ideal world, fans would be looking forward to the Liverpool clash for many reasons. It is the first home game of the new Premier League season, and it comes against the team Newcastle United beat in the Carabao Cup final to lift their first domestic trophy in 70 years.
However, circumstances off the pitch have caused a plethora of eyes to be on the game. Eddie Howe has confirmed that Alexander Isak will not play against Liverpool while speculation over his future persists.
Isak released a bombshell statement on Tuesday night, stating that promises were broken by the club, perhaps regarding his sale this summer. However, Isak is contracted to Newcastle for another three years, so interested parties will have to put up enough money to buy him.
In a recent podcast appearance, Shearer was visibly furious with Isak and his agent for his current transfer stance. Now, Wayne Rooney has shared what he would be doing if he were the player’s teammate.
Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring in a Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Wayne Rooney says there’s no way back for Alexander Isak at Newcastle United
Isak was called ‘ridiculous’ by Shaka Hislop for his statement, another sign that he does not have much support with his current transfer stance.
There was hope that the current transfer speculation could have been sorted before the start of the season, with Isak meeting with Howe at Newcastle’s training ground. However, Howe has looked a frustrated figure as the questions keep being asked.
Simon Jordan slammed Liverpool for refusing to pay up for Isak, but Rooney has taken aim at the player for his involvement in the saga.
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“If I’m a Newcastle player, I don’t want them back,” Rooney said on the Wayne Rooney Show.
“Players leave football clubs, and that happens all the time, but there’s a way to go about it. You can’t go and strike. You can’t not turn up for training and train with your teammates, and if you want to leave the club or not, you have to be there for your teammates and be ready if needed.
“So, I think if I was a player, I wouldn’t want him back. He’s deserted you. He doesn’t want to be there. He doesn’t want to be your teammate. So, I wouldn’t want him back. Now, for the club, I think what Newcastle are not happy with Isak’s behaviour because Liverpool want to sign him. But then on the flip side of that, Newcastle want to sign (Yoane) Wissa, who’s behaving the exact same way.
“I remember Anthony Gordon not playing for Everton because he wanted to go to Newcastle. So, you kind of have it both ways. But in terms of Isak’s teammates, I wouldn’t want him back.”
No end in sight for Alexander Isak’s Newcastle United transfer saga
Recent reports have suggested that Isak told Howe he wanted to leave in May. Howe confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Friday that a conversation between the pair took place at that time, but he did not disclose what was said.
For now, at least, there appears to be no light at the end of the tunnel in this Isak transfer saga. The 25-year-old remains adamant that he will leave the club, but Newcastle do not want to sell their star player from last season.
With just over a week left in the transfer window, Newcastle will remain firm that Isak will stay on past the transfer window, though it remains to be seen whether he will be a part of the squad.
The fans have turned on Isak, and pundits are changing their view. A lot is against Isak at the moment, but the hope is still that he can come to his senses and realise how poorly managed the whole situation has been.