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Former Newcastle United star Chris Waddle says the Magpies should sell Alexander Isak this week because the transfer saga has been handled "like a pub team".
Isak has missed Newcastle's first two matches of the season in a bid to force through an exit. He sat out the trip to Aston Villa and then the visit of Liverpool and is set to be absent for the Magpies' trip to Leeds United on Saturday.
And with the transfer deadline looming on Monday, there needs to be more developments soon if it is to go through. If it doesn't, there will be a long way back for Isak to reintegrate himself into Eddie Howe's plans.
"If I were Newcastle, I would sell him this week," Waddle said. "I know a lot of fans are urging the club to keep him to punish him, but we’re not talking about a player that is worth a couple of million pounds.
"Isak’s transfer would be a nine-figure sum — an incredible amount of money. There’s too much money involved for him to sit in the reserves.
"If he does leave and Liverpool is his destination, I’d take the £100m plus add-ons and that would be the end of the chapter."
Newcastle has been chasing both Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves and Yoane Wissa of Brentford after missing out on a host of attacking options including Hugo Ekitike and Joao Pedro.
While its latest bid for Strand Larsen, which was worth around $74 million (£55 million) was turned down, it could return with another offer. And if he and Wissa could get done, that might see the stance on Isak softened.
"The whole situation has been a shambles," Waddle, speaking to Esports Bets, said. "It’s been handled like a pub team — it’s embarrassing. Whether it’s Isak himself or his agent, they’ve gone about it in completely the wrong way."
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On Monday, ahead of Liverpool playing Newcastle at St James' Park, Isak met with the Magpies' owners in the North East. However, it is thought that his stance on wanting to leave remains the same.
"I'm not aware of that but I've not been party to talks on this for a long time now," Eddie Howe explained in his post-match press conference at St James' Park.
"So, I've been preparing the team, giving all my energy to the players that want to play for Newcastle. I think that's where my energy is best. I'm not party to the talks that have been happening, so I've got no idea where that stands."
Liverpool.com says: Isak going through feels quite 50/50 at the moment. If Newcastle can get a replacement, it could happen. Without one, it is understandable that the Magpies would stand firm, even if they have had all summer to sort something out.
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