Alexander Isak continues to push for a move to Liverpool and has been criticised for his behaviour at Newcastle during the transfer saga, but Michael Owen has refused to speak ill of the striker
Michael Owen has held back from slamming Alexander Isak's conduct at Newcastle United this summer. The Swedish forward has pushed for a switch to Liverpool since making it clear he's keen to weigh up his options away from St. James' Park.
There's been plenty of criticism aimed at the 25-year-old in recent weeks due to how he's managed his circumstances. Isak sat out his team's pre-season trip to Asia, choosing instead to keep fit at his former club, Real Sociedad.
It's also understood that he's now refusing to feature for Newcastle, irrespective of whether he can engineer a transfer to Anfield before September 1. Speaking to Chronicle Live via 247Bet, Owen has shared his take on Isak's predicament, and the former Magpies striker doesn't mirror the views of many pundits who have blasted Isak.
The 45-year-old, who represented the Magpies between 2005 and 2009, said: "He's laid his cards on the table, hasn't he? It's quite clear that he wants to move. Whether Newcastle fans would forgive and forget is a big question.
"I don't know. I mean, he's done exceptionally well for them, you know, they've won a trophy, they're into the Champions League. He's done his side of the bargain quite clearly by his statement.
"He feels like that's enough and that they've had previous chats which suggest that he's almost not free to leave but, you know, if certain things were done then he might be free to go, but it doesn't seem like Newcastle are playing that game."
He added: "This whole scenario is an interesting one because nine times out of 10 when a move comes about it's normally a club forcing a player and nobody's bothered, nobody says anything despite any kids that are in school or any families that have settled in an area or anything else like that.
"Nobody cares really about a footballer. But when it's on the other foot, it's really interesting to see that everybody, you know, the whole world goes into meltdown and how dare somebody try and force a move through? I'm not going to sit here and criticise Isak.
"I wouldn't have done that myself in terms of the actions he's taken, but I do get that he's a great player that wants to get to the top of his game and he's obviously not being allowed the move that he's desperate for. And you get one short career and he's wanting to join probably the best team in the world at the moment.
"I get it from his point of view. It's just a sad situation when it's played out in the world's press and he's obviously not coming out well, let's say, from a reputation point of view."
Owen seems to be alone in his views of Isak's situation, with several other pundits criticising the striker for his behaviour over the past month or so.
Speaking to Wayne Rooney on Match of the Day, who confessed he had been in a similar position to Isak when he asked to leave Manchester United, Alan Shearer said: "But you put in a transfer request. You didn't refuse to train, you didn't refuse to play, so there is a way to do it and Alex is not going about it the right way at all.
"You have to feel sorry for the players and the manager. The players today are busting a gut for the football club, for the thousands of fans that have travelled all that way to Villa Park. They're giving their all.
"Yet they're looking at another player, wherever he is, refusing to play despite having a three-year contract and on over £100,000-a-week. [The fans] are paying £60 or £70 for a ticket, £30 for petrol or a train ticket.
"You can imagine the anger that they're feeling that someone is taking the liberty of saying, 'I'm refusing to play.' You just can't do that when you've got a three-year contract."
Meanwhile, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher also didn't hold back when speaking to iNews. He said: "Transfers happen every summer but I don't think you should ever go toxic or nuclear where you refuse to play or train.
"That may be what forces the move in the end, so who am I to say it's wrong? But I just don't like it. They're paying his wages, they've been great to you, you've been great for them, just keep training, keep playing and hope a deal gets done."
Liverpool are yet to table a second offer for Isak after their opening bid of £110million was quickly knocked back by the Magpies at the start of this month, and it's unclear whether the Reds will even return with an enhanced figure.
With Isak now openly sharing his wish to depart the club, the Newcastle may show some flexibility regarding their £150m price tag for the striker.
The Toon still require adequate replacements for their key player before sanctioning his exit from Tyneside. A potential swoop for Brentford's Yoane Wissa, who has expressed interest in joining the club, continues to stall due to disagreements over his worth.
Following a prolonged period of silence whilst the transfer drama has played out, Isak turned to Instagram on Tuesday night to share his perspective. He wrote: "I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken.
"That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn't reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors. The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time.
"To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading. When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. That's where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself."