Thierry Henry has weighed in on Alexander Isak’s transfer saga, insisting the “best thing” for the striker and Newcastle United would be for him to leave, with Liverpool pushing hard to land his signature.
Isak fueled the storm last week with a fiery social media statement, accusing the club of “broken promises” and a “loss of trust,” while reiterating his desire to quit St. James’ Park.
Newcastle rejected a £110m bid from Liverpool earlier in the summer and are set to host the champions on Monday night without their star forward, who remains unavailable for selection.
Head coach Eddie Howe admitted the saga had left him “saddened,” describing the situation as “lose-lose,” though he still hopes to reintegrate the Sweden international once the window closes.
But speaking ahead of the clash on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Arsenal legend Henry was clear in his view.
“I think with the season he had, you can battle with Erling Haaland – he’s up there with the best strikers in the league,” Henry said. “When you have a player in this type of situation where he wants to leave, it’s because he’s good that people are upset.
At one point you don’t want to put yourself in a situation where you don’t come to training. In an ideal world the best thing is for him to leave. If he apologises, maybe we move on – but right now, the best is if he goes.”
Liverpool were greeted by a hostile reception upon arrival on Tyneside, with their bus booed and jeered by Newcastle fans outside the stadium.
Fellow Sky pundit Jamie Carragher compared the saga to Fernando Torres’ turbulent Liverpool exit in 2011.
“I still think it’s 50/50,” Carragher admitted. “A deal was never going to be done before this game. It feels like Isak or no one.
I don’t think he’s as durable as Salah, and Newcastle should sell. It’s a cloud hanging over the club. We had this with Torres – he didn’t want to be there, stayed, and it was a nightmare. Isak wants to win the Champions League – when a player doesn’t want to be there, it’s toxic.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle are actively searching for reinforcements up front. A £50m bid for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen has already been rejected, while Brentford’s Yoane Wissa is another target – though the Bees want more than £50m for the 28-year-old.
