5 hours ago
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Michael Owen has refrained from condemning Alexander Isak's conduct at Newcastle United this summer.
The Swedish striker has been strongly linked with a switch to Liverpool after noting that he hopes to explore his possibilities away from St James' Park. There has been substantial criticism of the 25-year-old in recent weeks given how he has managed the situation.
Isak missed his team's pre-season tour of Asia, instead choosing to train at his former club, Real Sociedad. It is also understood that he is now refusing to ever feature for Newcastle again, irrespective of whether he's able to secure a transfer to Anfield before the deadline.
Speaking to Chronicle Live via 247Bet, Owen has given his take on Isak's circumstances, and it doesn't mirror many pundits who have criticized the star. The 45-year-old, who left Liverpool to join Real Madrid in 2004, said: "He's laid his cards on the table, hasn't he?
"It's quite clear that he wants to move. Whether Newcastle fans would forgive and forget is a big question. I don't know. I mean, he's done exceptionally well for them, you know, they've won a trophy, they're into the Champions League.
"He's done his side of the bargain quite clearly by his statement. He feels like that's enough and that they've had previous chats which suggest that he's almost not free to leave but, you know, if certain things were done then he might be free to go, but it doesn't seem like Newcastle are playing that game."
He added: "This whole scenario is an interesting one because nine times out of 10 when a move comes about it's normally a club forcing a player and nobody's bothered, nobody says anything despite any kids that are in school or any families that have settled in an area or anything else like that.
"Nobody cares really about a footballer. But when it's on the other foot, it's really interesting to see that everybody, you know, the whole world goes into meltdown and how dare somebody try and force a move through? I'm not going to sit here and criticize Isak.
"I wouldn't have done that myself in terms of the actions he's taken, but I do get that he's a great player that wants to get to the top of his game and he's obviously not being allowed the move that he's desperate for. And you get one short career and he's wanting to join probably the best team in the world at the moment.
"I get it from his point of view. It's just a sad situation when it's played out in the world's press and he's obviously not coming out well, let's say, from a reputational point of view."
It comes as several other pundits have criticized the striker for his conduct over the past month or so. Speaking to Wayne Rooney on Match of the Day, who confessed he had been in a similar position to Isak when he requested to leave Manchester United, Alan Shearer said: "But you put in a transfer request.
"You didn't refuse to train, you didn't refuse to play, so there is a way to do it and 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 that have travelled all that way to Villa Park. They're giving their all. Yet they're looking at another player, wherever he is, refusing to play despite having a three-year contract and on over £100,000 [$134,000]-a-week. [The fans] are paying £60 or £70 [$80 or $94] for a ticket, £30 [$40] for petrol or a train ticket.
"You can imagine the anger that they're feeling that someone is taking the liberty of saying, 'I'm refusing to play.' You just can't do that when you've got a three-year contract."
Meanwhile, Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher also couldn't resist sharing his thoughts with iNews, explaining: "Transfers happen every summer but I don't think you should ever go toxic or nuclear where you refuse to play or train. That may be what forces the move in the end, so who am I to say it's wrong?
"But I just don't like it. They're paying his wages, they've been great to you, you've been great for them, just keep training, keep playing and hope a deal gets done."
Liverpool is yet to submit a follow-up bid for Isak following their opening proposal of $148 million plus add-ons being promptly turned down by United earlier this month, and it remains unclear whether the Reds will return with an enhanced package. With Isak now openly sharing his wishes to depart the club, the Magpies might provide some flexibility regarding their $202M assessment of the striker.
Nevertheless, United will still require adequate replacements for their key player before sanctioning his exit from Tyneside. A potential deal for Brentford's Yoane Wissa, who has reportedly expressed interest in joining the club, continues to stall due to differing valuations.
Following a prolonged period of silence whilst the transfer speculation developed, Isak turned to Instagram on Tuesday evening to present his perspective. He wrote: "I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken.
"That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn't reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors. The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time.
"To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading. When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. That's where things are for me right now - and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself."
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