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Roy Keane and Ian Wright have fiercely criticized Alexander Isak, with the former Arsenal forward describing the Swede's recent behavior as "shocking."
The 25-year-old appears intent on departing Newcastle this summer after Liverpool saw their $149 million offer for his services rejected.
Whilst the striker hasn't submitted an official transfer request, he's allegedly conveyed his desire to not play for Eddie Howe's side again amid a potential move to Anfield. On The Overlap's Rest is Football podcast, former Manchester United captain Keane and ex-Gunners striker Wright expressed their astonishment at the transfer saga that has turned sour in the north east.
"If you're a footballer I'm always a bit wary when people say, 'You were promised something,'" Keane said. "They're already on deals, and we talk about loyalty, but I just think as a footballer, you might be disappointed with the club and you might be leaving, I had it with [Nottingham] Forest (before he joined United) but you still want to train and play.
"You should think, 'The benefits of me training and playing, If I go, [means] I'll be ready' instead of going, 'I'm going to go and train with somebody else for a few weeks.' This would be different if Newcastle finished near the bottom and there was disarray, but they've just had a brilliant season, they're in the Champions League.
"Your job is to train and play, if you got into bed with an agent who can't do their job then you can't go to the club, 'You should have done a better job.'"
Wright agreed with Keane's thoughts on Isak's conduct, as he said: "It doesn't look good. The behavior? It's kind of shocking. It's shocking behavior.
"I don't know what's happened with his agent, I don't know if his agent hasn't done the job properly – I don't know what it is and if Liverpool were going to get him, go and pay the 150 million [asking price]."
Former Newcastle chief and minority stakeholder Amanda Staveley had apparently assured Isak that he and club officials would meet to negotiate fresh terms before her departure. However, she left before both sides could enter discussions.
Paul Mitchell arrived as sporting director not long after and allegedly reversed that commitment, which clearly hasn't pleased Isak. Commenting on the situation, Wright said: "You have to say, and there's a lot of talk about what was promised to him [Isak] maybe through [Amanda] Staveley, I don't know what's going on.
"Contract, more money, whatever it was, but then obviously she's gone now and maybe it was a gentlemen's agreement."
Isak remained absent from Newcastle's pre-season preparations and did not participate in the squad's Far East tour.
The controversy has overshadowed what ought to have been a summer filled with anticipation at St James' Park, with Isak now conducting solitary training sessions whilst being isolated from his teammates - even at a team barbecue.
Wright argued that Isak shouldn't have penned a six-year contract with Newcastle when he arrived at the club in 2022, particularly without including a release clause. However, he admitted it might now serve the Magpies' interests to cash in, and take Liverpool up on their offer to take Isak off their hands.
He added: "From Newcastle's point of view they've got every right to do what they're doing – they should sell him, but sell him for the money you want for him."
Liverpool hasn't yet submitted a fresh proposal following the rejection of their original $149M approach at the beginning of August. While Isak's destiny remains uncertain, both sides have pressed ahead with their preparations for the weekend's Premier League.
The Reds welcome AFC Bournemouth to Anfield on Friday, August 16, as they aim to start the defense of their Premier League trophy with a win on the first day.
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