Isak contract clause decision stuns Alan Shearer amid Liverpool transfer links

Alexander Isak's power plays to push through a move from Newcastle to Liverpool could've all been avoided with one decision that Alan Shearer can't believe wasn't made

Alan Shearer is astonished Alexander Isak didn't insist on a release clause when negotiating his Newcastle contract. Isak's relationship with the club is at breaking point as he continues to try and force a blockbuster move to Liverpool.

The Swede has been in the Premier League champions' crosshairs for most of the summer, with a potential British record transfer hanging in the balance. Liverpool have already seen a £110million bid knocked back, with Newcastle standing firm on their £150m valuation.

Tensions escalated on Tuesday when the striker released an explosive statement on social media, claiming promises had been broken and trust had eroded, before declaring it was in everyone's best interest for him to move on. Newcastle swiftly hit back with a statement of their own, denying any such commitments to the player and stressing they expect Isak to stay and reintegrate with the squad - despite reports he has vowed never to play for the Magpies again.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Magpies legend Shearer said that if Isak - who joined Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022 - had plans to leave the club, he shouldn't have signed a six-year contract without a formal "get-out" option.

"It's a sad situation," the 55-year-old said. "I was flabbergasted at his statement. He felt, or his representatives felt, it was best putting something out. But that was chucking petrol on the fire.

"It was just bizarre, to say that someone had agreed [to let him leave in the summer] verbally, with him or his agent. You're in football for goodness' sake. I would have a look at the agent, if I was him, to say why on Earth are you advising me to sign, or letting me sign, a six-year contract without any get-out clause? That's what I'd be saying - you need something in writing.

"When you're in a strong position, as he was, when they were paying sixty-odd million pound for him, on a six-year deal, and there's no get-out clause, you all know as well as I do, we've all been in the game long enough, you can't just accept [verbal promises].

"And by the way, who was it [that made the promise]? What did they say? And when did they say it? That would be the next questions... but you can't just say, okay, at the end of the next season then we might perhaps agree to let you go verbally. Football doesn't work like that."

Isak's discontent is also believed to stem from Newcastle's apparent U-turn on a promised contract extension last summer. The 25-year-old was reportedly assured of a new deal that would have placed him among the Premier League's top earners, but a change in administration and concerns over PSR compliance are said to have scuppered the agreement.

Isak maintains he made his desire to leave clear not long after the contract breakdown, though many at Newcastle dispute this. At the end of the 2024/25 season, he is said to have reiterated his wish to move on, but kept his stance private until August.

By then, Liverpool had entered the picture, but baulked at Newcastle's £150m asking price. At the time, the Magpies were pursuing Hugo Ekitike, only for Liverpool to issue an ultimatum: sell us Isak, or we will hijack your move for Ekitike.

Newcastle refused to budge on Isak, but in doing so, lost out on Ekitike, who instead joined Liverpool in a deal worth up to £79m. That appeared to end the saga, until days later Isak reignited the situation by asking Newcastle to "explore his options."

He was subsequently left out of Newcastle's pre-season tour of Asia and sat out their Premier League opener against Aston Villa on Saturday. The striker continues to train alone while his future remains unresolved, with only 10 days left in the transfer window and no clear resolution in sight.

Liverpool are still circling but will likely require Newcastle to soften their demands. Isak, meanwhile, is adamant his time on Tyneside is over, but with three years left on his St James' Park contract, his employers hold plenty of leverage.

For now, the saga hangs in the balance. The coming days will decide whether Isak's future lies in Liverpool red or whether he must face the uneasy prospect of rebuilding bridges in the North East. Either way, it stands as one of the most gripping transfer tussles the Premier League has ever seen.