Liverpool legend John Barnes has provided his thoughts on the transfer window and the methods used by Alexander Isak to earn his move to Anfield from Newcastle this summer
Liverpool legend John Barnes has warned that players will continue to push for transfers through dramatic means after Alexander Isak completed his Liverpool transfer. The Reds paid £125million to Newcastle United to land the striker on deadline day.
Isak did not travel on the Magpies' pre-season tour and trained away from the first team before completing his move. The 25-year-old also released a public statement noting that Newcastle had broken promises made to him.
But the Sweden international was not alone in his actions. Viktor Gyokeres took a similar stance before moving from Sporting CP, while Yoane Wissa made public moves in trying to facilitate his own transfer to Newcastle.
Barnes believes a precedent has been set for for future transfer saga, admitting it's not a manner of doing business he approves of.
"I think this is going to be a feature of football where players will agitate for a move and people will accept it," Barnes told the Daily Mail.
"It doesn't matter if it's right or wrong - it's a feature of modern football so we have to get used to it. This is the way business is done. I'm not a big fan of it, I have to admit."
The former England star believes more loyalty was shown by both players and clubs in the past. "Maybe this wouldn't have happened in my day because players stuck with contracts and clubs honoured the contracts," he said.
"There was a way of doing things but times have changed and football and life has changed.
It's not the only issue that Barnes has with the current transfer market however. The 61-year-old simply does not understand why the window is allowed to run on so long.
The ex-Newcastle ace believes transfers should be finalised before a ball has even been kicked. "I would love the transfer window to end before the season starts," he said.
"There's no reason why it shouldn't because it just causes upheaval for everyone. I don't see why they just can't have a situation where at the start of the season you know the players you have and you get on with it."
Arsenal star Gyokeres, believes the actions that he and Isak took this summer are justified. Isak's international team-mate suggested the power of clubs is greater.
"We all play and the clubs have the most power. It is maybe difficult for the players to choose in a lot of cases," he said.
"When it is a player who is not wanted in that club I think it's the total opposite, He doesn't have any power, the club can literally do whatever they want with the player. It's difficult but it's how the situation is."