Alan Shearer says it’s ‘disappointing’ and ‘ridiculous’ that Newcastle expect fans to believe their statement suggesting Alexander Isak pulled out of their pre-season tour due to an injury.
Eddie Howe named his 30-man party for the Toon’s trip to Asia on Thursday and Isak’s absence was, unsurprisingly, the headline news, with the striker supposedly struggling with a muscle issue.
But it appears most Newcastle fans, Shearer included, simply aren’t buying the club’s explanation and are convinced Isak’s withdrawal is more than likely linked to rumblings of an impending transfer.
Isak’s future has been the subject of intense speculation throughout the summer and the sought-after 25-year-old has reportedly told the Magpies of his desire to explore a move away from St James’ Park.
Liverpool have been alerted to a potential deal having renewed discussions with Newcastle to gauge the Swede’s availability earlier this month.
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The Premier League champions would be prepared to splash out as much as £120million for the ex-Real Sociedad forward, despite already bringing in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike this week.
‘It’s ridiculous what Newcastle put out this morning to say he wasn’t on the trip because of a slight thigh injury,’ legendary ex-Newcastle and England striker Shearer told Betfair.
‘If they thought people wouldn’t see through that, it’s disappointing. They should’ve just told the truth straight away. I understand it’s a very difficult situation for them, but it is what it is.
‘Eddie Howe has to use all his persuasive powers to do what he can and try to make him stay at least one more year. If that can’t happen then it is what it is.
‘You have to get the very best deal for the football club and if someone is prepared to pay north of £150m, and if he really, really wants to go, you can’t step in his way.’
Shearer believes Newcastle have no other option but to sign a replacement and ‘build for the future’ if Isak is adamant that he wants to move on.
He added: ‘Isak has been brilliant for Newcastle, helped us achieve our dream of winning a trophy and, if there’s no way whatsoever that he can be persuaded to stay at Newcastle, then they have to get the best deal possible.
‘If someone’s prepared to pay what they want, you have to say thank you and build for the future.
‘There’s no individual bigger than the football club.’
According to Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer, there is no doubt that the Toon would be losing a truly ‘world-class player’ should Isak up sticks and leave.
‘It sounds like Isak is going to leave. The news came out very strongly this morning and when that happens it seems to be a reality, he continued.
‘Player’s leave football clubs all the time and get replaced. If that’s the case here, it’s disappointing but you have to say thank you and move on.
‘If Eddie can persuade him to stay, it’ll be great but if he can’t, it’ll be very disappointing because Newcastle would be losing a world-class player.’
Isak’s possible departure has forced Newcastle to turn to the transfer market for a potential long-term successor up front.
Yoane Wissa has been heavily linked and Shearer is an admirer of the Brentford forward, who 19 goals in the Premier League last term.
However, he feels his former club may still need ‘another two or three’ high-quality signings so as not to leave Howe short ahead of the new season.
‘For Newcastle, it’s been a bit slow in terms of getting players that Eddie Howe wants so he can work with them,’ Shearer went on.
‘But Anthony Elanga is a good signing, a really good one, and if they’re able to get Yoane Wissa then that’s another very good signing.
‘Elanga and Wissa would be two very good signings, and we’ve already got one of them but if, and it’s a big if, Newcastle sign Wissa, I still feel as if they need another two or three in there.
‘I know it sounds as if they’re strongly in for James Trafford, although so may Manchester City be, but I’d think Eddie Howe would still want another two or three players on top of Wissa if they get him.’
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