Paul Merson says Alexander Isak could have left Newcastle a hero this summer but his actions in trying to force a move to Liverpool have tainted a legacy that saw him play a key part in winning the Carabao Cup last season and ending the club's 70-year wait for a domestic trophy.
Newcastle have endured a hugely-frustrating summer, missing out on a host of transfer targets while having to cope without Isak.
The striker is training away from the first team and will miss the weekend's Premier League opener at Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime after telling the club he wants to explore his options elsewhere amid interest from Liverpool, who had a big-money bid rejected for the Sweden striker.
Reports now suggest Isak is adamant he will not play for Newcastle again and retains a desire to join Liverpool in a saga that has dominated, and will continue to dominate, the transfer window right up until the deadline on Monday September 1.
Read on for the Magic Man's exclusive thoughts on all things Isak, Newcastle and Liverpool...
'Isak's taking a big chance'
It's an unbelievable situation Isak has put himself in.
He's taking a big gamble by reportedly saying he'll never play for Newcastle again.
Newcastle is a big city but it is a fish bowl in terms of football with it being a one-club city.
I wouldn't want to be in his shoes if he doesn't get his move. He's upset a lot of Newcastle fans with his actions.
If he now doesn't get away before the transfer window closes, he will need to score some serious goals to get the Newcastle fans anywhere near back on side.
'Isak's hero status gone if he leaves'
If he leaves, he won't be leaving Newcastle as a hero.
Had he kept quiet, he still could have potentially gone for big money, giving Newcastle serious profit after giving his all to the club. He was a big part of that trophy success last season, and he would have been rightly remembered for it.
Everyone could have shaken hands and been happy with the deal eventually.
But that's now completely gone.
The situation is totally ridiculous. It just shows you the players have all the power.
'Situation proves players still have the power'
Heads get turned in football.
There were so many saying Isak wouldn't leave, he wouldn't leave Newcastle.
In the end, when players decide they want to go, that's it.
It's just unbelievable.
Newcastle have just won their first trophy since before I was even born. Everything is great there and Isak is such a big part of that.
Suddenly, bang. An absolute spanner has been thrown into the works by Isak.
'Newcastle won't want an unhappy player, Liverpool know that'
Newcastle rejected an opening offer of £110m plus add-ons but now, after what Isak has said and done, Liverpool are not going to offer any more. Why would they?
They know the situation and know Newcastle don't want an unhappy player.
The timing from Isak is interesting. Maybe he thought a deal over £110m would be enough. Newcastle held firm but now he obviously just wants to get away from St James' Park.
His hand has now been forced and that's why he is saying he won't play again for Newcastle.
He potentially thought the initial offer would get accepted and he wouldn't have to do anything. He thought he'd be leaving a hero but now that has gone.
'Newcastle put Isak on the map'
It looks like Isak won't play against Aston Villa. He probably won't play against Liverpool and then Leeds, providing Newcastle hold firm and don't sell him.
If Newcastle lose two of those games, they are up against it already this season.
It's mind-blowing how this situation is allowed to happen.
Players sign big contracts and Isak is on a good few quid. He has three years left on his deal too so Newcastle should hold the cards really.
But someone comes in for him and he wants to leave, but now he won't play. I just don't get how it can happen.
This is a club that put him on the map.
He was obviously decent before he arrived at Newcastle but how many people knew about him? Now, he's a world-wide star and Newcastle helped him achieve that.
'Isak needed to handle things differently'
I don't like what is happening.
If Isak would have kept quiet, trained with the team and let things run its course, this probably all gets sorted out.
If a deal didn't happen, it's not like he's not good enough for it to happen again.
Liverpool wouldn't have just dropped their interest. He's not a one season wonder. He's a quality player.
A deal would eventually have happened, even if it wouldn't have happened in this window. Someone would always want to buy a player of Isak's quality.
He just needed to get his head down, train well, score goals when presented with the chance and this could have been so different for him.
After the work he's done at the club, he could have left a hero. But now, a lot of people associated with Newcastle are going to think differently, and that's a shame because of what he has achieved at St James' Park.
Zeekosky
1
Isak is hungry for more glory.. so he sees Newcastle as too small to accomplish more feat, but the approach is questionable
Fokabiknsz
0
Isak says he wants to play for Liv . so why deny him his move . Liv must pay Newcastle the fees and Newcastle can buy at least 2 or 3 players from his transfer fees.
Zesbklmpyz
0
well said. they will sell him oversea or just bench him until the window shut. players won't want to waste the time not playing given the world cup is 10 months away.
Yeah… that’s the right punishment for rebellious players like that You just spoke my mind
Zesbklmpyz
0
can someone tell me how 110m is not enough for Isak to be sold?? Newcastle are playing hard ball hope they won't regret it later
Newcastle **
Zesbklmpyz
0
can someone tell me how 110m is not enough for Isak to be sold?? Newcastle are playing hard ball hope they won't regret it later
Even Florian wirtz was bought for more than that, so why can’t Liverpool play hard ball?
Zesbklmpyz
0
Because it's a huge gamble for Newcastle, Liverpool already spend a lot and have the final say on this transfer since they don't have problem upfront. Now it's clear that Newcastle lost since isak doesn't want to play anymore, they're literally playing without a striker who contributed more goals than whole team for this new season.
If they didn’t have a problem upfront, they wouldn’t come for Isak after spending that huge chunk of money in the transfer window.. And also, point of correction: Newcastle holds the power in this deal, not Liverpool
pumbnorsyz
0
Bro stop capping shite… he ain’t no world class before he got to Newcastle.. He was just one of those good players, not a world class Spare us the bulls***
Isak scored 33 goals in 105 appearances in la liga he was not even a starter as first and you tell me he isn’t a world class. Anyone who knows ball knows he if you play for that dead real sociedad team and score 33 goals u are a world class. Just lyk Luis Suarez he was a beast at Ajax b4 Liverpool sign him. U are the one capping shit bruh
Zesbklmpyz
0
The club is aware the player want to move why did they not allow him to Leave on good terms a player they bought for less then 50 million the club is insisting more then 100000000 million and the club say is Less stop trying to paint the player as the bad person in the scenario
Sell**
Zesbklmpyz
0
You are a big fool he was a world class already at real sociedad you will say you don’t know him 😂 clown before real sociedad he also did well at dortmund. U must be a little boy.
Bro stop capping shite… he ain’t no world class before he got to Newcastle.. He was just one of those good players, not a world class Spare us the bulls***
Sokcdeilop
1
if someone doesn't want to play for you any more release him don't be selfish
ibreedsoccer
0
Gyokeres' move to Arsenal has unsettled Isak at Saint James' Park. Isak is disturbed his national team mate has moved to a bigger club so he's already feeling insecure and inferior that's why he's going on strike. I'd love to see Isak go to Liverpool so I can enjoy the rivalry between the two Swedes.
you dey cap nonsense
The_Real_Baggio
0
Let him go
Neadenpstu
0
look at the 2 goal keepers, 1 at PSG other at skintalonia, neither want to go, gave everything, now their clubs are spreading 💩 about them so where is the loyalty there.
PrinceAbobyBlinkz
0
Trent did worse than isak atleast isak being honest trent lied till end
You don't have sense at all, common sense you don't have, what did Trent do?
Rinkachi2221
0
What isak did is very ok,the fee Newcastle is demanding is too much for him, 150million is for players like mbappe, yamal, vinicius, halland and the rest not everyone
Gundu is not watching football properly..
Sofreshh
0
What isak did is very ok,the fee Newcastle is demanding is too much for him, 150million is for players like mbappe, yamal, vinicius, halland and the rest not everyone
Do u watch football or just yap, isak well worth that fee shut up
akpovike
0
Lol he was already a world class before Newcastle signed him.
Na only Barca fans dey reason like this... order sense from temu,I go pay
tanbdortyz
2
Trent did worse than isak atleast isak being honest trent lied till end
Kuaabkopu
0
What isak did is very ok,the fee Newcastle is demanding is too much for him, 150million is for players like mbappe, yamal, vinicius, halland and the rest not everyone
Yohabi1
1
Like Alexis Sanchez did to Arsenal. After turning him into a world class goals scorer, Alexis unsettled the Arsenal dressing room and left eventually, a terrible unforgiving behavior that negatively impacted on Arsenal's performance and resulted in the great Arsene Wenger's premature exit from the club he loved so much and had done everything for.
Yohabi1
0
Gyokeres' move to Arsenal has unsettled Isak at Saint James' Park. Isak is disturbed his national team mate has moved to a bigger club so he's already feeling insecure and inferior that's why he's going on strike. I'd love to see Isak go to Liverpool so I can enjoy the rivalry between the two Swedes.
puhbkmnpz
0
Stupid attitude. How can you force a move from the team that made you? That's a stupid decision. Loyalty is very important
loyalty, lok. u see what barcelona did to ter stegen for his loyalty to barcelona?. bullssss...
jasbdeksy
0
I know many fake Liverpool fans will come here to rant, but the faithful will come and speak the truth: let him go! Why didn't you let Salah go for that big money when he considered the Saudi league? What Isak did is purely disrespectful to Newcastle, and it should serve as a warning to other clubs. As a fan, I wouldn't want my club to sign this kind of player. I have great respect and love for Liverpool because they have a good culture and reputation, which I admire a lot. However, a piece of advice would be not to sign Isak again. He should learn from Salah, Mbeumo, and Baleba. It's very interesting that Garnacho is taking the same route; good for him. We will see where this bad attitude will lead them. We will see if they think they are bigger than the club.
because Salah did not want to go.....he just had not felt he received a good enough offer to stay.
Tonybiz
2
We’ve not heard from him yet. Why holding him against his will? Some of this clubs can be so selfish to break gentlemen agreements, probably he had an agreement to let him go when offer of certain amount from his choice of club comes in, then Newcastle rejected 110m offer without negotiation
Locabeilnp
1
release the guy once,no here everyday is just NewCastle,I'm also tired of your stories 🤨
vapcdopst
2
He will be a hiro at anfiled period
Deeacmnpr
2
Newcastle isnt ready and criminal club, how can you reject 120million pounds from Liverpool and you want isak not to get angry, even when we know the money is far too much
Senglabertin24
0
Let him go and have peace of mind
pumbnorsyz
1
wtf u talking about? Before Newcastle, who knew Isak? shameful a Barcelona fan is talking like this.
You are a big fool he was a world class already at real sociedad you will say you don’t know him 😂 clown before real sociedad he also did well at dortmund. U must be a little boy.
GAGA0300
0
Lol he was already a world class before Newcastle signed him.
wtf u talking about? Before Newcastle, who knew Isak? shameful a Barcelona fan is talking like this.
Dokcdnopt
2
he needs to win trophies 🏆. t
ficamrstuz
0
The club should have realized the profits which are there from the bid Liverpool offered and because of that they want to denying him from leaving Newcastle which is not good for the player i think the club should come up with a proper reason for this issue.
vitinha23
0
I know many fake Liverpool fans will come here to rant, but the faithful will come and speak the truth: let him go! Why didn't you let Salah go for that big money when he considered the Saudi league? What Isak did is purely disrespectful to Newcastle, and it should serve as a warning to other clubs. As a fan, I wouldn't want my club to sign this kind of player. I have great respect and love for Liverpool because they have a good culture and reputation, which I admire a lot. However, a piece of advice would be not to sign Isak again. He should learn from Salah, Mbeumo, and Baleba. It's very interesting that Garnacho is taking the same route; good for him. We will see where this bad attitude will lead them. We will see if they think they are bigger than the club.
I'm not against Isak leaving but if you want to go have good agreement! Liverpool is a fine club any player want to come, but Isak didn't push this deal overy well, Alexander Isak has 3 more years left on his Newcastle United contract, which runs until the summer of 2028, 3years, not 1year, left. If someone comes to sign you, you just have to calm down and wait for both clubs to reach an agreement because you have a contract in place. That's what Salah did. Isak messed everything up for himself, bro.
Minemnpyz
1
I know many fake Liverpool fans will come here to rant, but the faithful will come and speak the truth: let him go! Why didn't you let Salah go for that big money when he considered the Saudi league? What Isak did is purely disrespectful to Newcastle, and it should serve as a warning to other clubs. As a fan, I wouldn't want my club to sign this kind of player. I have great respect and love for Liverpool because they have a good culture and reputation, which I admire a lot. However, a piece of advice would be not to sign Isak again. He should learn from Salah, Mbeumo, and Baleba. It's very interesting that Garnacho is taking the same route; good for him. We will see where this bad attitude will lead them. We will see if they think they are bigger than the club.
Liverpool was able to convince Salah to stay, Newcastle couldn't convince Isak. these are different situations. clubs should keep players that are willing and happy to stay and stop forcing things
vitinha23
2
I know many fake Liverpool fans will come here to rant, but the faithful will come and speak the truth: let him go! Why didn't you let Salah go for that big money when he considered the Saudi league? What Isak did is purely disrespectful to Newcastle, and it should serve as a warning to other clubs. As a fan, I wouldn't want my club to sign this kind of player. I have great respect and love for Liverpool because they have a good culture and reputation, which I admire a lot. However, a piece of advice would be not to sign Isak again. He should learn from Salah, Mbeumo, and Baleba. It's very interesting that Garnacho is taking the same route; good for him. We will see where this bad attitude will lead them. We will see if they think they are bigger than the club.
pumbnorsyz
0
Lol he was already a world class before Newcastle signed him.
Manchesterisblue
1
why should they accept the first offer when they could press for more
Because it's a huge gamble for Newcastle, Liverpool already spend a lot and have the final say on this transfer since they don't have problem upfront. Now it's clear that Newcastle lost since isak doesn't want to play anymore, they're literally playing without a striker who contributed more goals than whole team for this new season.
tuwdmnops
0
They should've accepted Liverpool offer in the first place and still got some time to find new replacement, clearly almost half of profit from what they paid for him back then. This will impact their season for sure and probably causing eddie howe his job.
why should they accept the first offer when they could press for more
firMINO1
1
he has no loyalty for the team a team who put you were you are
Ironic...because I believe he has put Newcastle where they currently are.
Naokmptuz
1
he has no loyalty for the team a team who put you were you are
But he wasn't Newcastle academy or U21 player now. How did Newcastle put him where he is? He was a good player when Newcastle signed him and he only keeps improving and getting better
Tuwaeinuy
0
Newcastle United will miss Isak more than Isak will miss them. That will teach Eddie Howe and Newcastle United not to humiliate any footballer on Sky sports television again.
We all are wondering Is more then the bought him for more then enough
Tuwaeinuy
2
The club is aware the player want to move why did they not allow him to Leave on good terms a player they bought for less then 50 million the club is insisting more then 100000000 million and the club say is Less stop trying to paint the player as the bad person in the scenario
Jadbdetuz
2
Nothing will change that Isak win Newcastle a Trophy with Alan Shearer himself can't do it.
pokeklmpry
2
But they would sell him anyhow if he were not a good player...Players shouldn't give a damn about any club because the club wouldn't give a damn about your loyalty if you start having problems.
MumbaRk
0
when says he wants to leave what's so difficult in letting him go ?
tidbiprsz
1
Let's a player do his best to move from Newcastle united because he wants to move
wuyclmnpz
1
He has help you too much, if he want, just give him....Nonsense
Bumbdepr
4
he has no loyalty for the team a team who put you were you are
TheOddOne
0
Isak dun care about that
unknownpersons
4
dont let him go and keep him on the bench for the whole season.. so that he know whos the boss is.. end his career right away..