At the back of last season, the Newcastle -legend Alan Shearer was sure that Alexander Isak would remain in the club, but his prediction now looks dangerous to Liverpool's interest
At the end of last season, Alan Shearer was convinced that Alexander Isak would stay in Newcastle United. Quick Vooruit just over two months and the Magpies striker dropped a large transfer bomb after he told Toon Chiefs that he wants to explore opportunities somewhere else, and Shearer is now looking at the risk of humiliation.
About the rest, the football podcast in May, Shearer was very sincerely that the recent success of Newcastle meant that they had a serious lever when it came to keeping their star man.
The legend of the Magpies said, “I have to keep it and they will do that, I am pretty sure of that.” Because of their success this year and because they are in the Champions League … there is no worries in my mind that he is going somewhere. He will be a player in Newcastle next season. He is a very, very, very good player. “
Isak has scored 62 goals for Newcastle since he came to Real Sociedad in 2022. One of those strikes even helped Newcastle to win the Carabao Cup last season – the first piece of great silverware from the club in almost 70 years. Their Swedish talisman also played an important role in securing Champions League football for this season when they finished fifth.
How could Shearer's earlier hypothesis work counterproductively? Everything that was determined on Isak by holding the club when they entered a new era of success, supported by their rich owners, albeit with PSR (profit and sustainability rules) that hangs above their heads.
It is fair to say that Newcastle and their fans are blind by the Saga. The events have seen, not only Isak tells the club's hierarchy that he wants to explore the opportunity to leave, but the player also refused to be part of the club's preseason to date, because Liverpool expenses announced their interest.
The 25-year-old chose to travel with Newcastle during their tour through the Far East, while he was also sent home from a pre-season against Celtic, where Eddie Howe claimed that the player was not in the right state of mind.
A 'small thigh injury' was advertised as the reason for his absence by the club. The Saga, however, took a turn when Liverpool made a stunning offer of £ 120 million for Isak – an offer that was quickly rejected by Newcastle, when the striker then started training alone in the former club Sociedad.
Newcastle also looks at RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. A second bid was now sent before the rush hour after the opening offer had been rejected because they look at a replacement on board, when Liverpool returns with another big bid for their random star. Howe still hopes to see his leading man in black -white next season.
Back on the rest, football this week, Shearer cut a clearly different tone of 72 days ago, as a Ub bend pulled and insisted that if the attitude of Isak would continue, Newcastle would have no other choice than to lead him out the door.
“No, I'm not angry at all,” said Shearer this week. “I understand how football works, I know what is happening in and around the game.
“I probably understand his mentality. Do I like it? Do I understand? Probably two different things. But I know what football is about and I know how it works, and of course Liverpool has been to him or his agent.
“I just thought it could have happened next year and if it is really impossible for Eddie to reverse him and he says no, and it sounds like that is the case, I want him to be gone now, you get your big money for him, who is willing to pay for that and you will get other people, hopefully in advance, and then you will continue.
“Like I said, nobody is bigger than a football club, and if he doesn't want to be there, fine, get what you can and get him out and thank you very much for the memories, you go.”
Shearer's brave explanation that Isak “is not going anywhere”, and his resulting 180 about the issue, is now in danger of somewhat embarrassing him. The Swedish striker seems to be Hellbent when securing a move to Anfield, while Chiefs in Newcastle seem to plan for life without their most important man.