Former Newcastle United striker Salomon Rondon has given his verdict on Alexander Isak’s refusal to play for the club while seeking a move away.
With the transfer window closing in just over a week, the situation regarding striker Alexander Isak is still showing no sign of being resolved.
The 25-year-old is refusing to play for Newcastle United in the hope that he can get a move away this summer. Liverpool are seriously interested in Isak and have already seen a bid of £110million rejected by the Magpies this summer.
Newcastle take on Liverpool on Monday evening, but the Swedish international will not be in the squad for the game due to the ongoing transfer saga. His stance means that Anthony Gordon will most likely lead the line against Liverpool in what is a highly anticipated game at St James’ Park.
Isak is showing no sign of returning to Newcastle’s first-team squad and is quickly losing the backing of many pundits. With his stance remaining unchanged, former Newcastle striker and fan favourite Salomon Rondon has weighed in on Isak’s situation.
Salomon Rondon celebrates after scoring in a Premier League game between Fulham and Newcastle United.
Photo by Leila Coker/ MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Salomon Rondon tells Alexander Isak to ‘understand’ Newcastle United’s transfer stance
Rondon was only at Newcastle on loan for a season, but the Venezuelan target man bought into the aspirations of the club under Rafa Benitez and became adored by the fans.
Isak was seen as a fan favourite by many for his form at Newcastle, but trust between the player and the fans has been broken now that he has publicly confirmed his desire to leave.
In 2019, Mike Ashley refused to buy Rondon for Benitez, sparking his decision to leave Newcastle just a month before the new season. His situation was different to Isak’s but he still offered the Swede some advice on how it should be managed.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
“It’s a difficult issue to give an opinion on,” Rondon said in an interview with The Athletic.
“Isak is a great player for Newcastle, has done great things for them. But you also have to understand the club does not want to lose a player like him.
“It’s a sad issue really, I hope it gets resolved as soon as possible.”
Salomon Rondon reflects on his time at Newcastle United
While he was unable to get his permanent move to Newcastle in 2019, Rondon reunited with Benitez in China and then at Everton in 2021.
Rondon now plays for La Liga side Real Oviedo and will be play against Spanish giants Real Madrid on Sunday evening.
In a bizarre twist, Rondon played against Real Madrid at the Club World Cup alongside Kenedy, another former Newcastle man. However, it was for Liga MX side Pachuca.
In the same Athletic interview, Rondon looked back on his time at Newcastle.
“I had such a great time at Newcastle,” he said.
“The fans gave me their affection from the first minute, and St James’ Park was a marvellous place.
“It was a privilege to wear the No.9 shirt. I remember I was the first No.9 to win the fans’ player of the year award since Alan Shearer.
“Things are completely different there now, for sure. It’s a pity not to have played for Newcastle when the club had more ambition.”