Senior BBC Sport reporter and commentator Ian Dennis, has been discussing “spoilt child” Alexander Isak ahead of Monday night’s clash between Newcastle and Liverpool at St James’ Park.
Dennis claimed Isak has handled his transfer rollercoaster ‘like a teenager’, with the Tuesday night statement and lack of transfer request showing his true colours.
Alexander Isak has been engineering a move away from the club to Liverpool, burning every bridge in the process. He refused to join his teammates in any of Newcastle’s pre-season games, including the tour of Asia, citing a thigh injury, then ditched club staff for that of his old team Real Sociedad.
Dennis points out the obvious flaw in Isak’s masterplan to move away, the fact he hasn’t handed in a formal transfer request. The veteran commentator explains that the Swede would lose all of the financial bonuses of leaving without formally asking for it, assuming it’s loyalty bonuses and instalments of his signing-on fee.
He told his Football Daily counterparts he expects the move to happen for around £130m, but it may not be that simple given Newcastle are adamant £150m+, along with two strikers are the minimum requirements to sanction a late sale before next Monday’s deadline.
“Alexander Isak has behaved like a spoilt child and I think he wants his cake and he wants to eat it,” he said on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Commentator’s View.
“I think he’s shown a great level of disrespect to Newcastle United and, in particular, the supporters who’ve idolised him. He’s tarnished his reputation.
“I can’t understand, if he wants the move as badly as it would appear, why has he not handed in a transfer request? And we know the reasons why, because of the financial ramifications that he would forsake if that was to happen.
“But I just think that he’s been badly advised and I wouldn’t at all be surprised if after that (Newcastle v Liverpool) game, he goes for somewhere in the region of £130m, that the deal is done. I just, I can’t see a way for him to stay. I think it would be irretrievable now.
“The situation after his statement and what Newcastle have said, if it doesn’t happen, but I think it will, but if it doesn’t happen, then good luck with trying to reintegrate him back into the squad!”
The supporters would take an almighty amount of convincing after being betrayed and cast aside, and his fellow teammates aren’t pleased with his actions either.
Craig Hope reported last week that parts of the dressing room are split on the Isak situation, suggesting some understand his stance while others are angered by his inflammatory actions.
Eddie Howe, in part, defended him in Friday’s presser and offered a route back if he gives his all, and the club statement last week echoed that message, stating “Alex remains a part of our family, and will be welcomed back when he is ready to join his teammates.”
If isak stays it’ll take eddie howe 5 minutes to reintegrate. He’ll call for unity from the fan base and we will listen. What howe says goes.
Shhhhhh(Quote)
Good call sh. Might take more than your 5 mins, though!
davewallace(Quote)
Isak won’t be trusted on the pitch. When he doesn’t press or looks of the pace fans will be on his back . Can’t see how it wouldn’t just become toxic. Hopefully we got some strikers in and move him on. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him loaned out to Europe
Shane Henry(Quote)
I just can’t see us getting two strikers in of sufficient quality to allow him to leave, if that is the criteria we have set, then we have the £150 million price tag.
PIF are annoyed and will not be swayed no matter what Howe or the fans think, otherwise they will be seen as weak and that ain’t going to happen.
Joseph(Quote)
I think the game Monday will have a bearing on this – if the supporters sing the greedy basket stuff which is their right it will make holding on to Isak harder I reckon. That said I think it will happen as fans are well annoyed by this disrespect
Steve Doggett(Quote)
I keep seeing a price tag of £150m in the press and hearing it constantly from the daft pundits on Sky Sports.
As far as I am aware NUFC have never set a price for Isak , and when asked , have simply said that he is not for sale.
sidekick(Quote)
Sick of hearing he’s been badly advised. That only becomes an issue if you choose to act on that advice!!
There is only 1 person responsible for he situation – him!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
No coming back he has shown true colours and they are not black and white no boos no stick just get rid of him and move on
John shotton(Quote)
A hat-trick against Leeds would help matters for now. Personally I want him gone but I also want us to remain steadfast on our valuation especially to the vile scousers.
If we can’t get rid of him this week and he does his job this season and bangs goals in and tries hard for the team so be it.
However he needs gone the first 2 weeks of the summer transfer window.
If you get bit by a snake it’s highly likely you’ve been very unlucky and shocked at what’s happened.
If you stand in the same place and trust that snake not to bite you again…well that’s just plain effin stupidity.
Spena10(Quote)
Same here mate.
kimtoon(Quote)
Isak should realise that Newcastle have the power to effectively kill his career. They can stop him playing anywhere else until the end of his contract – and by then, he’ll be at an age where (for a striker), his value will have plummeted. His international career would also suffer, as his country isn’t going to be picking a player that isn’t getting the games to keep him match fit. Grow up Isak, accept the real options here. Apologise and get back in the team, give your all and get your career back on track.
David Buglass(Quote)