Alan Shearer slams ‘ridiculous’ Newcastle United over Alexander Isak transfer saga
Alexander Isak has informed Newcastle United that he wishes to leave St James’ Park this summer.
Alan Shearer believes Eddie Howe must try to convince Alexander Isak to stay at Newcastle United for another year.
Toon chiefs have been dealt a devastating blow as the Swede is now angling for a St James’ Park exit. Newcastle had already endured a frustrating window before their best player outlined his desire to leave.
Isak was left out of the weekend trip to Celtic and remains on Tyneside while his teammates jet off to Asia for pre-season. It is understood that any club aiming to buy the 25-year-old must be prepared to break the British transfer record.
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Alan Shearer on Alexander Isak saga
Speaking to Betfair, Toon icon Shearer slammed Newcastle's initial reasoning - suggesting Isak would miss the Asia trip due to injury - as farcical. He said: "It's ridiculous what Newcastle put out this morning to say he wasn't on the trip because of a slight thigh injury.
“If they thought people wouldn't see through that… It was disappointing. They should've just told the truth straight away. I understand it's a very difficult situation for them but it is what it is.
“Eddie Howe has to use all his persuasive powers to do what he can and try to make him stay at least one more year. If that can't happen, then it is what it is. You have to get the very best deal for the football club. If someone is prepared to pay north of £150million, and, if he really, really wants to go, you can't step in his way.
“Isak has been brilliant for Newcastle, helped us achieve our dream of winning a trophy and if there's no way whatsoever that he can be persuaded to stay at Newcastle, then they have to get the best deal possible and if someone's prepared to pay what they want, you have to say thank you and build for the future.”
‘No individual bigger’ - Alan Shearer
Shearer urged Howe to persuade Isak but insisted that, if he leaves, nobody is bigger than the club. He added: “There's no individual bigger than the football club. It sounds like he’s going to leave. The news came out very strongly this morning and when that happens it seems to be a reality.
“Players leave football clubs all the time and get replaced. If that's the case here, it's disappointing but you have to say thank you and move on. If Eddie can persuade him to stay, it'll be great but if he can't, it'll be very disappointing because Newcastle would be losing a world class player.”
Three or four signings needed
Finally, the Toon icon ordered St James’ Park chiefs to sign three or four players before the transfer window shuts. He said: “For Newcastle, it's been a bit slow in terms of getting players that Eddie Howe wants so he can work with them, but Elanga is a good signing, a really good one and if they're able to get Wissa then that's another very good signing.
“I think Elanga and Wissa would be two very good signings, and we've already got one of them but if, and it's a big if, Newcastle sign Wissa, I still feel as if they need another two or three in there.
“I know it sounds as if they're strongly in for James Trafford, so may Man City be but I'd think Eddie Howe would still want another two or three players on top of Wissa if they get him.”
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