Thierry Henry has shared his thoughts on Alexander Isak with the Newcastle United striker again left out of Eddie Howe's squad amid transfer speculation surrounding a move to Liverpool
Thierry Henry speaks on Monday Night Football
Thierry Henry has shared his view on the Alexander isak transfer saga involving Newcastle and Liverpool
(Image: Sky Sports)
Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has offered his view on the Alexander Isak transfer saga this summer. Isak has been left out of Newcastle's opening two Premier League matches of the 2025/26 season as he looks to seal a move to Liverpool before the summer transfer window closes on September 1.
The Merseysiders had a £110million bid for the forward rejected earlier this month and are yet to make another offer. The Sweden striker is now free from the groin injury that kept him out of the trip to the Far East in pre-season, but is reportedly adamant about a switch to Anfield. It is understood that the club are pondering when to take action on him.
And legendary former striker Henry has had his say on the saga - sharing his belief that Isak's talent makes it difficult for Newcastle to accept that they may lose their star player.
“I think with the season that he had last season - you can battle with Haaland and the way he played last year, the year before - but I think he is up there with, if not the best striker in the league at the moment," he told Sky Sports before Monday night's clash between Newcastle and Liverpool.
"I think that’s why people are upset at Newcastle, because you’re about to lose - if not - the best striker in the league. It’s kinda weird seeing it from afar. Myself, do I rate him? Yes. I think he’s a great striker, what he can give you off on and on the ball, the way he finishes also.
"When you have a player in this type of situation at his club where he wants to leave, it’s because he’s good that people are upset. When a player is good and the club wants him out, I don’t see anyone crying. So, I can understand the fans of the club. I can also understand him.
"The only thing I said everyone looking at him, talking about it, you always put yourself in the situation as a player where people might not understand if you don’t come to training. This is something very difficult for people to understand, but obviously they must have said something to him, Newcastle replied, you’ve had it before. Do we know the whole story? No, and we will never know the whole story.
"But, if he does apologise, if it is seen as a mistake because we don’t know what has been said inside the camp, I would accept it as a player. But, he needs to apologise if he wants to come back.”
Asked whether Liverpool need Isak, he added: "Yes. It’s a different need for a team that maybe plays at the bottom or in the middle of the table. It’s because if you’re playing in all competitions you need to have two very good strikers. One that’s coming up, which is Hugo Ekitike. If you manage to get Isak you’d get one of the best strikers in your league.
"I go back to Man United’s treble, but you had Cole, Sherringham, and Solksjaer on the bench. I don’t think it will be crazy if you have an outstanding striker and a very good one also on the bench. One for one.
"For me, if you want to play in all competitions, if you look at the squad we had at Barcelona that won Champions Leagues, look at the front three and what’s on the bench also. I do think it is a need if you want to perform in all competitions.”
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