By TUM BALOGUN, SPORTS REPORTER
Published: 15:16 EDT, 25 August 2025 | Updated: 15:16 EDT, 25 August 2025
Thierry Henry believes that the 'best thing' will be for Alexander Isak to leave Newcastle, with Liverpool pushing to sign the wantaway striker.
Isak accused the club of 'broken promises' and a 'loss of trust' in a bombshell social media post last week which also reiterated his desire to depart St James' Park.
Newcastle rejected a £110million bid from Liverpool earlier this summer and face the champions at home on Monday night with their star striker unavailable.
Head coach Eddie Howe admitted the saga had left him 'saddened' and described the situation as 'lose-lose', though he still hoped to see the Swede reintegrated after the transfer window closes.
But speaking ahead of the mouth-watering clash on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Henry said he believes it would be best for Isak to leave.
'I think with the season that he had, you can battle with Erling Haaland, he's up there with the best striker in the league at the moment,' said the Arsenal legend. 'You're about to lose one of the best strikers.
'When you have a player in this type of situation where he wants to leave it's because he's good that people get upset. You always put your situation where people might not understand if you don't come to training, they must have said something to happen.
Alexander Isak is desperate for a move away from Newcastle this summer, with Liverpool keen to acquire the star man
Thierry Henry believes that the 'best thing' will be for Alexander Isak to leave Newcastle
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'At one point you don't want to put yourself in a situation where you don't come to training.
'In an ideal world the best thing is for him to leave. If someone makes a mistake, if they apologise we can move on. He scores goals, Newcastle fans will be ok. The best right now is if he goes. We don't know what has been said. He needs to apologise if he is to come back.'
Liverpool arrived on Tyneside to a hostile reception, with their team bus booed and jeered by home supporters outside St James' Park.
Jamie Carragher admitted the saga had cast a shadow over the club and compared it to Fernando Torres' turbulent final months at Liverpool with Chelsea keen to swoop for the Spaniard.
'I still think it's a toss of the coin,' he said. 'A deal was never going to get done before this game.
'It feels like Isak or no one. I don't think he's as durable as Mohamed Salah. I think Newcastle should sell Isak. It's a cloud over the club constantly. We had this with Torres at Liverpool, he didn't want to be there and ended up staying.
'Isak is a player who wants to win the Champions League. When you've got a player who doesn't want to be there it can be an absolute nightmare.'
Newcastle, meanwhile, are continuing their search for reinforcements up front.
Jamie Carragher admitted the saga had cast a shadow over the club and compared it to Fernando Torres' turbulent final months at Liverpool
They have seen a £50million bid for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen rejected, with the Molineux club adamant the Norway international is not for sale.
The Magpies are also pursuing Brentford's Yoane Wissa, though talks have been slow and the Bees are said to want in excess of £50m for the 28-year-old.