Thierry Henry believes it is in the best interest of Newcastle to let superstar striker Alexander Isak go this week, with the club running out of time to secure a replacement.
It has been a hostile standoff between Isak and Newcastle in recent weeks after the 25-year-old revealed his desire to leave the club and join Liverpool this season.
But a rejected $230 million (AUD) bid from the Reds has yet to be topped as reports continue to circulate that the Magpies are waiting for an offer of at least $311m.
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Liverpool have been busy in the transfer market this window, signing several big names including attacking midfielders Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
However, the opportunity to secure one of the game's best strikers still looms.
Isak is under contract with Newcastle until the end of 2028 but has removed himself from the team's training sessions in the hope an agreement will be made between the two clubs.
Newcastle have stood firm with their belief that Isak will stay put at the club, with coach Eddie Howe admitting that the young star's talent would have been useful against Liverpool.
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United.
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United. Getty
The latest twist the contract saga has taken has been influenced by a suspension for Anthony Gordon, who was a makeshift replacement for Isak up front.
Gordon was shown a red card in the 47th minute against the Reds after he made a nasty challenge on Virgil van Dijk, leaving Newcastle with yet another headache.
Henry called for an immediate resolution.
"I think with the season that he had last year... he is up there with, if not, the best striker in the league at the moment," the French great said on Sky Sports.
"I think that is why people are upset at Newcastle because you are about to lose the best striker we've had.
"I rate him, he is a great striker. What he can give you off and on the ball, the way he finishes ... but when you have a player in this type of situation, it's good that people are getting upset.
"When a player is not good and a club wants him out, I don't see anyone crying for the player. I can understand the fans and the club but I can also understand him.
"We will never know the whole story. All I can say is that you can not put yourself in a situation where you don't come to train.
"In an ideal world, the best thing for him and for everybody is if he can leave."
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CBS Sports Pundits Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher.
Football pundits Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher. Offside via Getty Images
Liverpool great Jamie Carragher echoed Henry's beliefs, admitting he would not want to see the club lose its fighting spirit due to a marquee star not wanting to play.
Carragher then revealed he believes a decision will likely be made once Newcastle find two instrumental players to fill the hole left by Isak.
"Anthony Gordon being out for three games probably doesn't help the situation ... but I think it will all come down to if Newcastle can get two forwards this week," he said.
"If they bring two forwards in, I think they will sell him.
"What they've got up there since Eddie Howe came in is pretty special. This team has won a trophy, we can see that fight. They can not have someone between now and the next transfer window diminish that.
"If he is not willing to give it everything and is saying he is injured when he is fully fit, he is not training right, there is a cloud over your club. I actually think it's in the best interest of the club to sell him to Newcastle."
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal.
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal. Getty
Carragher questioned if Newcastle will be able to move past Isak's contract saga if no progress has been made by the September 2 (AEST) deadline.
But Henry was confident that would not be an issue.
"I do believe that when someone makes a mistake, if he sees it as a mistake and apologises to his dressing room, then we can move on," Henry, 48, said.
"If he was to apologise as a (Newcastle) player I would accept it, we've all made mistakes in our lives. If someone is honest enough and says, 'Look, I wanted to leave and it didn't happen. I will be fully committed to the cause, I am sorry', then let's move on.
"But he needs to apologise if he wants to come back. We all know he is going to have to fight to get the heart of Newcastle fans back. It is doable, I've seen it done before.
"If he scores goals and starts to play the same way as he played last year then Newcastle fans would be OK about it.
"I think (Eddie Howe) has been saying since the beginning that he has to stay. But sometimes when you are a manager, these things can be out of your hands.
"Because of the situation with what happened (against Liverpool) with all the injuries, even more so now, (as a manager) you have to make him stay.
"But the best (outcome) for Liverpool and Newcastle right now is if he goes."