'The way he's going about it is wrong': Shearer gives his take on Isak-Newcastle impasse

Alexander Isak’s future at Newcastle United has become the subject of a tense standoff, with the striker openly declaring his desire to leave the club. The 25-year-old Sweden international, who has scored 62 goals since joining Newcastle for a record fee in 2022, is reported to have been the subject of a £110 million bid from Liverpool earlier this month. While Newcastle rejected the approach, Isak issued a social media statement accusing the club of breaking promises made to him.

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In his post, Isak claimed “trust is lost” and insisted change was in the best interests of all parties. He accused Newcastle of misleading fans by suggesting the issue had only recently emerged, saying the club had been aware of his position “for a long time.” As a result of the dispute, Isak has been training away from the main squad and missed Newcastle’s goalless draw with Aston Villa in their Premier League opener. He also chose not to attend the PFA awards ceremony, despite being named in the 2024/25 Team of the Season.

Newcastle quickly responded, reiterating that while they value their players’ views, the conditions for a sale this summer “have not transpired” and were not expected to be met.

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has criticised the handling of the situation, warning that Isak’s actions could damage both the player and the club. Speaking in an interview with Betfair, Shearer said that while it was important for Isak to have his say, releasing such a statement “threw fuel onto the fire.” He acknowledged that disputes between clubs and players are complex, but stressed that going public and refusing to train risked harming his reputation.

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“Shearer suggested the striker is being poorly advised, pointing to the role of his agent. “Everything boils down to him being given bad advice. The way he’s going about it is wrong. It’s not a good look for a player or an agent to not go out and train when you have a contract behind you.” He added that while there remains a possibility for reconciliation, the relationship is becoming increasingly messy.

The timing of the dispute adds further pressure on Newcastle, who host Liverpool on Monday in what could be a fiery encounter given the transfer links. For Isak, the fallout could determine whether he remains central to Newcastle’s project or forces a high-profile move away from St James’ Park before the transfer window closes.