Alan Shearer has not hidden his frustration with Newcastle’s constant transfer failings this summer as he lays out his thoughts on how to handle the Alexander Isak situation
Alan Shearer concedes the amount of players who have rejected Newcastle’s interest is “not a good look” as he cited major holes in their hierarchy as a possible reason for their transfer failings.
The Magpies have tried to land numerous players, the majority of whom have decided to head elsewhere. The club have secured the signing of Antony Elanga for £55million from Nottingham Forest, but beyond that have been dealt disappointment after disappointment.
Joao Pedro, James Trafford and Bryan Mbeumo had all been on Eddie Howe’s radar, but he’s seen them move on to some of their Premier League rivals.
Newcastle’s business has not been aided by the lack of senior figures at St James’ Park. Paul Mitchell left his role at Sporting Director and Darren Eales stepped down as CEO last year, but Shearer has not been impressed by the lack of recruitment.
He told Betfair: “Why can’t Newcastle get business done? I don’t know whether it’s to do with the fact they don’t have a Chief Executive or Sporting Director. They’ve known for months now that the Chief Executive was leaving so I’m pretty surprised that one hasn’t been announced as yet.
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“The Sporting Director left a couple of months ago now and they’ve known that, so that’s a big surprise that those spaces haven’t been filled. Whether that has anything to do with Newcastle’s lack of business and the number of players that have said no to them, I don’t know. It’s not a good look.”
The biggest blow of the summer could still come if Alexander Isak does end up leaving Newcastle. The striker has proven himself to be among Europe’s elite but has told the club’s bosses that he wants to explore a move elsewhere with Liverpool circling.
It will likely take a British-record fee to get the Swede out of St James’ Park but Shearer is adamant that a replacement needs to be in before Isak is allowed to depart. Newcastle have, again, missed out on a key target with Benjamin Sesko poised to pick Manchester United over them.
“Eddie will have to be at his persuasive best to try and turn Isak’s head around because it has been turned in terms of him wanting to go to Liverpool,” said Shearer. “On the proviso that he does want to go and Eddie can’t turn his head, then you get the money. But prior to that, you have to get people in to replace him.”
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