'Not happy' - Liverpool star makes Newcastle United claim after £130m Alexander Isak transfer
Newcastle United sold Alexander Isak to Liverpool after the player did all he could to force a move.
Alexis Mac Allister believes Alexander Isak’s £130million British record move from Newcastle United to Liverpool is “good for both clubs”.
Newcastle headed into the summer with zero intention of selling Isak and maintained that stance up until the final few weeks of the transfer window.
But in the end, the Magpies felt they had little choice but to offload the Sweden international after he went on strike and refused to reintegrate back into the squad.
His move to Anfield was eventually completed on deadline day and on Wednesday night made his debut as the Reds beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 in the Champions League.
Alexis Mac Allister comments on Alexander Isak’s move to Liverpool
Isak was regarded as a hero on Tyneside, having scored the winning goal against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final in March to secure the Magpies’ first domestic trophy in 70 years. His 62 goals in 109 appearances has also helped the club qualify for the Champions League twice in three seasons.
However, his conduct has left a bitter taste in the mouths of Newcastle, both internally and externally, and that hasn’t gone unnoticed on Merseyside, as highlighted by Mac Allister, who used the term “the other club” to reference Eddie Howe’s side.
The Argentine told TNT Sports: “The other club are not happy but that’s the way football works and in the end they paid quite a lot of money so it’s good for both clubs, and for him because he got what he wanted.
“We are so happy to have him because we know the player he is. We have suffered him a couple of times as well.
“I think everyone is really pleased with the transfer window. It’s crazy because this doesn’t guarantee anything. You have to build a team and I think we are in that process.
“There is no doubt about the quality of the players that have come in but then you have to build a team and understand each other. I think we are in that process and in the end, that’s what we want, to win.”
What Newcastle United have said about Alexander Isak’s departure
Newcastle made their anger clear when a 37-word statement confirming Isak’s exit had no mention of his goals and achievements, or a thank you or any well-wishes.
Later addressing Isak’s departure, head coach Eddie Howe said: “I loved working with him. I hope that he loved working with us. It was mutually beneficial. I think we helped him become the player that he, in part, is today and he helped us as a team achieve some unbelievable milestones and of course he was part of a very successful team.
“I think, just giving you a bit more on that, I think the moment that he went on strike, our relationship did change. And yeah, I think that was probably a turning point in our relationship.
“I just think obviously communication became difficult from that point onwards. I won't go into it any more than that.
“I would say Alex was very much part of that and loved his time here, so I don’t think that was the issue.
“I think the issue for him was more when the other club came became there, that then changed his thought process. I never had a day where Alex didn’t look like he enjoyed being here when he was 100%.”