Alan Shearer Outlines Conditions for Isak’s Return to Newcastle

Alan Shearer believes there are still chances for Alexander Isak to have a future at Newcastle United.

It has become clear Isak longs to leave the Magpies and has no desire of coming back to Eddie Howe’s team as he insists on being transferred to Liverpool. In the last transfer window, Newcastle did turn down an offer of £110m from the Premier League champions and are demanding £150m for the striker who is 25 years old.

Since then, the Swedish striker has not trained with the team and cited “broken promises” of leaving in an inflammatory social media post. He has not played for Newcastle United in their first two league games and his endless saga has dominated the buildup ahead of Monday’s game at home with Liverpool at St. James’ Park. He could return for the international break next month, however, as he has been called up for Sweden.

Most fans believe Isak’s stance has damaged his status and future at the club beyond repair. But Premier League all-time record breaker and Newcastle legend Shearer thinks there can still be a coming together—though only if the player initiates proceedings.

“You’ll have to ask him,” replied Shearer to The Independent. “It’s so many moving pieces. I have no idea if anything has been said behind doors, if there have been further discussions, or if he might want to change his mind.”

“But if it was an ideal world, and there’s a huge if, then yeah (he can have a future at Newcastle). That all depends if he wanted to apologize or come back. There are so many if and buts, and it is very hard.”

Alan Shearer watched the grueling Liverpool match at St. James’ Park, during which supporters unfurled a banner which stated: “Nothing is done alone. We are a city, an entire population. We are Newcastle United.”

Despite being left with 10 men, Howe’s side battled bravely at restoring a two-goal deficit but succumbed at the 100th minute courtesy of 16-year-old Reds debutante Rio Ngumoha. Alan Shearer praised the players for their endeavours under adversity.

“The individuals at fault are those on the pitch, as they are the ones who are suffering. They are giving their all without one of the best forwards in the country, with no fault of their own,” he said.

“Everything they want from the players is for their utmost effort wearing the shirt. Alex (Isak) did that consistently up until this pre-season. I believed the lads were top class on Monday and at Villa irrespective of the results. That’s how Eddie demands they play and that’s all the supporters want. The crowd was electric, football can be very cruel.”

It has been a tumultuous summer for Newcastle, who have lost out on top striking targets such as Joao Pedro and Liam Delap to Chelsea, and Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool—earning him boos on Monday from home support.

Magpies are also said to target late signings of Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen or Yoane Wissa from Brentford, who, just like Isak, has been on the look for an exit. But as much as they make new signings, Shearer admits that the summer has been disappointing for the team.

“It has been a disaster all the way along,” he said. “It has not benefited him, it has not benefited Newcastle—just been a disaster Newcastle did not need.”

“Not having a chief executive hasn’t done much good, and not having any sporting director hasn’t done much good either. Perhaps that has lost them their best targets, I don’t know, but it definitely hasn’t been much of a summer.”

Alan Shearer spoke at the Betfair launch of its Safe Sub campaign: when your player comes off, your bet rolls onto the substitute in some leagues and markets.