The latest Newcastle United transfer news as the Alexander Isak summer transfer saga bleeds into transfer deadline day this Monday
Alexander Isak and Alan Shearer pose for a photo
Alan Shearer has given his verdict on the 'ruthless' Isak situation(Image: Serena Taylor, Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Five days remain of the summer transfer window, and Alexander Isak remains hoping that he can join Liverpool before deadline day.
The Swede was yet again absent from the Newcastle squad on Monday as Eddie Howe's team suffered a heartbreaking late defeat to Arne Slot's champions.
Thierry Henry was the special guest on Monday Night Football, and the Arsenal legend believes the best situation is for Isak to leave the club.
Henry also stated that no player can put themselves in a position where they aren't training with the squad. But the Frenchman continued to add that, if Isak apologised for his mistakes and went on to score goals for Newcastle, the Geordie fans 'will be okay about it.'
The Rest is Football podcast trio, including Newcastle legend Alan Shearer, Gary Linker and Micah Richards, had opposing views on Isak leaving the club.
Thierry Henry speaks on Monday Night Football
Thierry Henry shared his view on the Alexander isak transfer saga involving Newcastle and Liverpool
(Image: Sky Sports)
Lineker began by saying on their podcast: "I think it might go to the wire. I can’t see Isak changing his tune and it has to come from him, unless there’s a deal done.
"If there’s a deal done, it’ll work out before, but if it stays like a stalemate then it goes to the end of the window and then if nothing happens, it’ll drift on to January which is not good for anyone.
"Unless Isak changes his tune when he realises he can’t play for a few months. We’ll have to wait and see."
He added: "There’s been one or two former players coming out and defending Isak. I saw Thierry Henry and Michael Owen, both saying that clubs don’t really think about footballers in certain things and there’s a lot of hypocrisy from certain people.
"The only thing I would say is we can all understand that the player against the club and the club against the player, sometimes happens, but the one thing that I find difficult to agree on is downing tools. That’s the one thing I would take umbrage with."
Shearer had his say and stated: "Unfortunately, you have a three-year contract in this situation. That’s you or your agent's fault for signing such a long deal without any get-out clauses.
"I know football’s ruthless, I know how it works and I know when a club wants to get rid of you, as a player, they can. But that club is paying you for your services and you’ve got three years left. There’s a way of doing things.
"Look at how [Eberechi] Eze has conducted himself at Crystal Palace, totally different I know, look at [Marc] Guehi in a very difficult situation. He’s got one year left but Isak has three years left, of a six year deal that he or his agent signed so that’s where it’s very different."
Micah chimed: "Michael and Thierry both made good points. I said it the other day on the pod about when I was at Villa and how I was treated. But Alan’s completely right, you can’t down tools and not turn up for work.
"I was waiting to have an opinion on it but if he wants to go, he should be allowed to leave, as long as the club gives him the blessing. The only problem we have with it is that you can’t not turn up for training, it’s as simple as that.”
It seems that, unless Liverpool offer close to Newcastle's unofficial £150m valuation, Isak won't be going anywhere this summer. How the situation will develop within St James' Park after that is unknown.
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