Alan Shearer has reacted with shock after Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak was ruled out of the club’s pre-season tour to Asia amid Liverpool’s interest in the player
Alan Shearer’s reaction said it all after Newcastle United confirmed Alexander Isak will not be part of the club’s pre-season tour. The prolific striker, who has been heavily linked with Liverpool, has told the Magpies he is keen to explore a move away from the club.
That bombshell emerged shortly after it was confirmed that Isak would be absent from the club’s tour to Asia. Eddie Howe’s side will play Arsenal in Singapore and Tottenham in Seoul, South Korea.
A minor thigh issue was cited as the reason for the Swede’s absence. When Newcastle’s touring party, minus Isak, was announced by the club on its Instagram feed, club icon Shearer commented with a stunned face emoji.
Meanwhile, Magpies fans criticised the club’s handling of the situation, with some arguing he should have travelled even if he does have a niggle. One said: “Even if Isak is injured, you take him on the tour to build the brand. As a club asset to gain fans, you take him to meet and greets and public events, even if he’s not on the bench. No way that he’s been left out for any other reason than to be available for sale and medicals without flying halfway across the planet.”
Another posted: “This whole Isak situation is being handled terribly by the club, it’s making us as fans look like mugs. The elephant in the room needs to be addressed. Regardless of injury, he should travel with the team (if he even is injured), it’s just causing more speculation about him leaving than it’s worth. Disappointing news.”
A third demanded: “Time Isak spoke to the fans, I think he owes us that.” Another said: “Surely you take him on tour regardless of injury? Unless it’s something where he’d doing rehabilitation or been told not to fly. Need some answers soon mind!”
While Newcastle are under no pressure to sell their prized asset, who is valued at in excess of £120million, they may have no option but to cash in now Isak has expressed a desire to leave. While Liverpool are heading the chase for his signature, there is believed to be interest elsewhere, including from Saudi side Al Hilal, who, like Newcastle, are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Howe addressed the speculation around his star striker as he explained why he wasn’t involved in last weekend’s friendly at Celtic. Isak had travelled to Glasgow with the squad, only to be sent home.
The Newcastle boss said: “It was my decision. He travelled back to Glasgow with us, but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him.
Howe added: “Yes, I’ve had discussions with him, but that’s not abnormal. I respect a player’s career and how short it is. Alex has been really good, he’s trained really well and I realise there’ll be noise around him.
“We have a few of those players who are irreplaceable. Your top players are so hard to find, so hard to recruit and so hard to develop.
“So when you have them, you need to treasure them. Of course, we’re desperate to keep him as part of our team. I think it’s difficult for me to ever give 100 per cent clarity on any player, I’d never do that.
“All I can say is Alex is happy at Newcastle, he loves the players, the staff, the team. I’ve never had any issue with him and I’m confident he’s going to be here at the start of the season.”
However, since those words, the landscape has shifted considerably, with Isak looking increasingly likely to be moving on.
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