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Alexander Isak is looking for a move away from Newcastle United(Image: Serena Taylor, Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Michael Owen has held back from slamming Alexander Isak's conduct at Newcastle United this summer.

Isak sat out his team's pre-season trip to Asia, choosing instead to keep fit at his former club, Real Sociedad.

It's also understood that he's now refusing to feature for Newcastle, irrespective of whether he can engineer a transfer to Anfield before September 1.



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."

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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.

Michael Owen has spoken about Alexander Isak(Image: 2023 James Gill - Danehouse)

"Nobody cares really about a footballer.

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 reputation point of view."

Owen seems to be alone in his views of Isak's situation, with several other pundits criticising the striker for his behaviour 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 asked to leave Manchester United, Alan Shearer said: "But you put in a transfer request.

They're giving their all.

Alan Shearer spoke to Wayne Rooney about Alexander Isak on Match of the Day(Image: BBC)

"Yet they're looking at another player, wherever he is, refusing to play despite having a three-year contract and on over £100,000-a-week.

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 are yet to table a second offer for Isak after their opening bid of £110million was quickly knocked back by the Magpies at the start of this month, and it's unclear whether the Reds will even return with an enhanced figure.

With Isak now openly sharing his wish to depart the club, the Newcastle may show some flexibility regarding their £150m price tag for the striker.

Alexander Isak wants to leave Newcastle United this summer(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

The Toon still require adequate replacements for their key player before sanctioning his exit from Tyneside.
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