‘Head been turned’ - Alan Pardew rocks Newcastle United with Alexander Isak update
Newcastle United have no intention of selling Alexander Isak this summer despite reported interest.
Former Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew believes Alexander Isak’s head has been turned by the recent transfer speculation.
Liverpool are understood to have enquired about the Swede last week but received a swift rejection. The Magpies have made it crystal clear that Isak will not be sold this summer.
Various sources also claim Saudi Pro League clubs - many owned by PIF - are considering an offer. These reports were understood to be wide of the mark when following some investigating last week.
Eddie Howe amplifies Alexander Isak noise
However, Eddie Howe amplified the noise surrounding Isak’s future by leaving him out of the squad against Celtic. Speaking post-match, the Toon boss admitted the transfer rumours had been the reason why he sent him home.
"It was my decision, Howe said. “He travelled to Glasgow with us but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him.
"The last thing he wanted was to be sat in the stand watching - that wasn't fair to him. But I'm confident he will be a Newcastle player come the end of the window."
‘Head turned? Possibly’ - Alan Pardew
Ex-Newcastle manager Pardew has given insight into how the club would have reacted to what he believes as Isak’s head turning. He told talkSPORT: “Reading between the lines, it looks very much like the player’s affected, I would suggest. So, Eddie made a sensible move and just took it out of the equation.
“When players want to move they make it fundamentally clear in their actions and can cause a problem. Has Isak’s head been turned? I would suggest possibly yes, so they’ve got a battle on there. Eddie’s trying to play it down but it won’t go away until Liverpool conduct their business.
“The other players, the senior players, usually side with the player, regardless of what the club decide to do,” Pardew continued. “They all want to progress in their career, a bigger contract, a bigger club, don’t think they don’t, they do.
“The Liverpool thing, I would suggest the other players are not that bothered. They obviously want him to stay because he could bring success to the club. But one day that could be them, so they want to see that the club are treating the players correctly. You have to try and find a fine balance.”
Newcastle United and Liverpool history
Pardew also noted how the Magpies have sold high-profile stars to Liverpool before. He added: “Newcastle have lost big players to Liverpool in the past. Beardsley, Andy Carroll when I was there. I know what Newcastle fans are like, they won’t want it to happen but they’ll be slightly nervous tonight.”