Isak Fallout at Newcastle Sparks Shearer Criticism

• Alexander Isak accused Newcastle of breaking promises, saying “the relationship can’t continue.”
• Alan Shearer branded the situation an “absolute mess” and criticised Isak’s agent.
• Newcastle insist no agreement was made to let Isak leave, despite Liverpool’s rejected £110m bid.

Former Newcastle captain Alan Shearer has said that wantaway striker Alexander Isak has poured “flames on the fire” of his standoff with the club by accusing them of breaking promises, and added his comments “don’t benefit anyone.”

Isak has been pushing for a move away from St James’ Park this summer, with Newcastle rejecting an offer from Liverpool worth up to £110 million earlier in the window. The striker sat out Newcastle’s preseason tour of Asia, has been training alone since, and missed Saturday’s goalless draw with Aston Villa in the Premier League opener.

The Sweden international escalated matters on Tuesday night with a post on Instagram in which he declared: “the relationship can’t continue.”

Speaking to Betfair, Shearer said the situation is now an “absolute mess” and blamed Isak’s representative Vlado Lemic for poor advice.

“If I was him, I’d get his agent in a room and sack him on the spot immediately, because he is meant to be giving him the advice to sign that six-year deal and there’s no get out clause,” Shearer said.

“I mean, it’s ridiculous. And to take anyone’s word in football … it’s nonsensical to say that someone said, ‘Oh, I’ll be able to get out at the end of the season.’ Really? I mean, come on.

“I’ve always said there are two sides to every story, but my feelings are exactly the same: he’s gone about it in the wrong way.

“I just think even releasing this statement last night has thrown flames onto the fire, which he didn’t need to do.

“I get that we needed to hear his side of the story and we’ve heard that now, and I’m not saying I don’t believe him or I don’t believe Newcastle, I’m just saying it’s very, very messy for him and for the football club. It doesn’t benefit anyone.”

In his statement, Isak wrote: “The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To act now as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.

“When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue.”

Newcastle responded firmly, denying that any assurances were ever made about a potential move.

“We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer,” a club statement said.

Liverpool’s rejected bid at the start of August has not cooled their interest, even though the club signed Hugo Ekitike, a player Newcastle had also pursued. Sources said Newcastle continue to value Isak at £150m and will only consider a sale if a suitable replacement is found. Their attempts to sign Benjamin Sesko fell short when he joined Manchester United.

Isak, who scored 27 goals in 42 games for Newcastle last season, still has three years left on his contract at St James’ Park.