Liverpool have been questioned over their handling of Alexander Isak’s proposed move from Newcastle as the transfer saga drags on and fans of the Swede’s current club grow angry
Liverpool have been questioned over their handling of Alexander Isak’s proposed move from Newcastle United(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Alexander Isak will be “fuming” over Liverpool‘s apparent lack of urgency in drawing his transfer saga to a close, it’s been claimed. The striker’s future remains uncertain after the Newcastle United player was absent from their Premier League opener against Aston Villa on Saturday as he looks to force a move to Anfield.
The 25-year-old has been training separately from Newcastle’s first team following his decision to sit out the club’s pre-season tour of Asia. Despite reports suggesting that Isak has vowed never to play for the Magpies again, manager Eddie Howe has not ruled out the possibility of him staying.
Liverpool’s initial offer of £110million for the player was promptly turned down, and they have yet to make a revised bid. It is understood that Newcastle are keen to secure new strikers before considering letting Isak go.
Isak has faced criticism from Newcastle fans over his attempts to force a move, with some supporters seeming to direct a chant of “there’s only one greedy b******” at him after the goalless draw at Villa Park. Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has suggested that Liverpool may be partly responsible for the tense situation.
Foster, who also previously played for Wrexham, believes that the Reds may have encouraged Isak to stir up trouble through his agent, though that claim is purely speculation. He suggested that Isak’s handling of the situation has left Liverpool as his only viable option, having seemingly burnt his bridges at Newcastle.
Speaking on the Fozcast podcast, Foster said: “He has to go to Liverpool, because I think that’s probably the only team that will have him now.
Alexander Isak has been told Liverpool is his only possible destination this summer(Image: Serena Taylor, Newcastle United via Getty Images)
“Isak’s going to be fuming as well, because guaranteed that somebody from Liverpool has got in touch with his agent and gone, ‘We want you here, hand in a transfer request or kick up a fuss and we’ll sign you.’ But they still haven’t signed him.
“I think he just needs to take accountability for it all, and he needs to come out with a statement. He needs to be open and honest with people.
“Liverpool are also aware that he’s finished at Newcastle. They’re not really going to be willing to up their offer any more.”
Alexander Isak has two weeks left to secure a transfer to Liverpool before the window closes(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
Anthony Gordon filled the void left by Isak against Villa, playing as a false nine, but Newcastle failed to find the back of the net. The Magpies could still bolster their attacking options before the transfer window shuts, with Yoane Wissa and Goncalo Ramos both on their shortlist.
Meanwhile, Foster believes the hostility from Newcastle fans towards Isak will ultimately push the move over the line. The ex-England star described the situation as “horrible” and urged for a swift resolution.
He added: “Newcastle fans are different. This is in their blood and he’s besmirched them. He’s in the mud, he’s done and he cannot play for Newcastle ever again, but he’s got the required result.
“The club has seen that [fans chanting] at the end of the game and gone, ‘We just need to get him sold.’ It’s a horrible way to go about it, but that’s modern day football and it’s the way that they go.”