Alexander Isak has been receiving a lot of criticism for opting against joining the Newcastle United tour amid transfer interest from Liverpool.
The former Real Sociedad striker has not been a part of Newcastle United’s pre-season tour of Singapore nor has he been training alone at their base on Tyneside.
There were allegations that he has ‘downed tools’ to speed up a move and has since been training with his former club Sociedad, according to BBC Sport, seperate from their first team.
According to a report from the Athletic, he told the club long in advance that last season would be his final campaign with Newcastle and has been frustrated by a supposed refusal to entertain any offers.
The report says: “It is also true that people familiar with Isak’s thinking say that none of this should be a surprise to Newcastle and that they were told repeatedly that last season would be the player’s final one at St James’ Park, that he wished to move to a club where he could win the biggest trophies. It is true that some are saying there is no turning back.”
Michael Owen weighs in on the debate
Michael Owen has now commented on Isak not going on tour or training with Newcastle, urging the Swede to make the move to Liverpool if it’s based on ambition.
“If you didn’t have ambition, then football would be nothing,” Owen told talkSPORT.
“You get one short career, try and win as much as you can, try and get to the best teams and that’s what drives everybody.
“People will say it’s because of the money, it’s not. Most footballers want to be in the best team, playing in the best competitions, winning the trophies and unfortunately, this scenario will never ever change.”
If Liverpool do manage to land Isak, hopefully it will be in a classy way and in a manner that is becoming of a Liverpool player. Football is messy but it’s always better to leave on a good note.
Owen should know all about what it is like for relations with a club when you leave the wrong way. If Isak is on the right side of all this, it will not mar the excitement of a marquee signing.
