1 day ago
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Alan Shearer believes Alexander Isak could still reconcile with Newcastle United and turn out in black and white again.
Isak, 25, has reportedly informed the Magpies he will not don their jersey again after they turned down Liverpool's $149.1 million bid. The Swedish striker is eager for a switch to Anfield but hasn't yet lodged an official transfer request to the club.
Liverpool have reportedly given Newcastle a week to make a deal for the forward, before they switch their attention to other targets. Looking at Isak's situation from afar, Shearer has a small belief he can patch up his relationship with Newcastle and even play for the club again.
However, the Magpies legend insisted if this is to happen, it must be all sorted before the end of the transfer window. While appearing on Match of the Day, Shearer said: "I also understand there are two sides to every story.
"We have never heard anything from him or his side yet. It's all leaks and reports. There is still a chance, albeit a small chance, he could be integrated back into the team if he says, 'Sorry.' If he wants to do that, I don't know.
"It's unlikely that is the case. But if it gets past the transfer deadline day and there is still an impasse and it's a deadlock and no one is budging and he is still at Newcastle, I can't see a way back then, because it's, 'Well, I have to be here.'"
The Magpies have yet to secure a new striker, having already missed out on targets such as Liam Delap, Bryan Mbeumo, and most notably, Benjamin Sesko, who chose Manchester United over them. In their Premier League opener, a goalless draw at Aston Villa on Saturday, Anthony Gordon was utilised as an impromptu centre-forward, flanked by Harvey Barnes and new recruit Anthony Elanga.
The club is pursuing Brentford's Yoane Wissa, and Paris Saint-Germain's Goncalo Ramos has also been mentioned as a possible acquisition. If Newcastle are to sell Isak, reports from journalist Sacha Tavolieri understand the Reds have told the Magpies they have just over a week to make a deal for Isak.
There have so far been no signs Newcastle is going to compromise on the $203M they want for Isak. Meanwhile, Howe said he may try and arrange another meeting with Isak, but is still not certain it will be enough to convince him to wear black and white again.
Even if he manages to do so, Shearer believes it would be challenging for Isak to regain the trust of the fans and his teammates. The Newcastle icon added: "Alex is not going about it the right way at all. You have to feel sorry for the players and the manager.
"The players today are busting a gut for the football club, for the thousands of fans who have travelled all that way to Villa Park, they are giving it their all.
"Yet, they are looking at another player, wherever he is, refusing to play despite having a three-year contract of over £100,000 per-week, whereas the fans are paying £60 or £70 for a ticket, £30 for petrol or a train ticket to get there and back.
"You can imagine the anger they are feeling that someone is taking the liberty of saying, 'I'm refusing to play.' You just cannot do that when you've got a three-year contract."
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