Newcastle defender Dan Burn has spoken about how Alexander Isak’s ongoing transfer saga with Liverpool is impacting the team’s dressing room.
Isak missed the Magpies' Premier League opener at Aston Villa on Saturday and there appears to be no chance of him featuring for Newcastle before the month is out, even though manager Eddie Howe wants him to play.
His absence will incur a club fine as he digs his heels in the ground in hope of securing a move to Liverpool.
Isak will be a huge miss for Newcastle, having contributed 23 goals and six assists in the Premier League last season, guiding his side to a fifth-place finish.
Nevertheless, Burn has insisted that Isak's summer antics has only brought everyone in the dressing room closer.
When asked about how he reflected on last season's success - which saw Newcastle end their 56-year trophy drought by beating Liverpool in the EFL Cup final - Burn said: 'Yeah it was [a successful season] but there's been obviously a lot of external noise this year.
Speaking before kick-off on Saturday, Burn was then asked whether the speculation around Isak's move has brought the team together.
He said: 'I think so. I think there's obviously a lot of external noise. We've got quite a tight-knit group and we just get on with it.
'I think we've now been about four or five weeks without Alex [Isak], so for us he's obviously not involved at the moment.
'But we've got players who need to step up and contribute to the goals and we're ready to go.'
Speaking this week, Howe said that Isak is in control of whether he plays for Newcastle again.
He said: ‘As I sit here now, I don’t know that [Isak will play again]. Alex will control that.
'Alex's situation has been unchanged for a while and that will continue to be the case, I think.
‘Of course [I want him to play], I've said many times I want him to train and play. I’ve had those conversations with him, but the details of these conversations need to remain private.’
MaikudiBirnintudu
1
as much as I'd like him at Liverpool it shouldn't be this way, he should sort things out and leave in peace not bad blood, we don't want drama at Anfield
Zizdkprsty
0
as much as I'd like him at Liverpool it should be this way, he should leave on good terms not bad blood, we don't want no drama at Anfield
JohnDuggan92
1
I disagree, when the club don’t want him anymore, they will toss him like he never existed. I’ve seen it many times. Recent examples , Donnarumma in PSG, Ter Stegen in Barcelona How many times did Barca try to force Frenkie out ? I’m sorry bro but fuck club loyalty, cause they’ll toss you without a second thought
Widbiltz
3
Newcastle are foolish and stupid. When PSG was holding down Mbappe because they wanted to use him to win champions league. They never won it until he left them as a free agent instead of cashing £200m on him. Liverpool were so wise to have sold Coutinho,they used the money to fund better team that won champions league the following season he left
Hokceiptu
0
if your company
Hokceiptu
1
Guys leave Isak alone its his future,you all you call him in names is paying you $15000 per month and another company come calling saying they will pay $45000 per month will you stay loyal to your company or you will leave for high salary?
laknopruz
0
Isak is an ungrateful selfish player. Club come first before self.
SAFRTY FIRST
Cioeimpsu
3
isak is not selfish player cause every player have dream so we have to see things on behalf of him
Wuwbmopsy
0
selfish how? he had an agreement that was never respected. not speaking as a fan but truth be told he has the right of choice isn't he?
mrliverpool1
0
Isak is an ungrateful selfish player. Club come first before self.
u are the one ungrateful
liheiknstu
1
He has signed a contract with Newcastle. Now he forgot.
poudilmyz
2
isak is the only player started up new castle? leave him to go.
Weoabclmsy
1
Isak is an ungrateful selfish player. Club come first before self.
Dmoney111
1
Fools Na y goal dy hard una so
He is under contract
AFerqVjz8174
2
Fools Na y goal dy hard una so