Is Alexander Isak right to refuse to play? Newcastle striker warned not to 'throw toys out of the pram' amid Liverpool interest
Updated 14/08/2025 at 11:16 GMT+1
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Alexander Isak has been involved in the biggest transfer saga of the summer. The Newcastle striker has attracted interest from Premier League champions Liverpool, who have reportedly seen a bid worth £110 million rejected for the player. It has been reported that Isak is refusing to play for Newcastle again. How will this saga end? TNT Sports pundits discuss his future.
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Where will Alexander Isak be playing his football come the end of the transfer window?
That is the question on everyone's lips as the Newcastle United striker is involved in the biggest transfer saga of the summer so far.
You can watch Newcastle's Premier League opener at Aston Villa live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Saturday as the new campaign gets underway - but will Isak feature?
Premier League champions Liverpool are interested in signing the Swede but have seen an offer £110 million rejected by Newcastle.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Isak has now refused to play for Newcastle again if he fails to leave the club by the end of the transfer window.
It has turned out to be a very messy situation for both the club and the player. How will the saga end? And who is in the wrong here?
TNT Sports pundits sat down to discuss the issue surrounding Isak's future at the club.
Ally McCoist - 'Can't throw your toys out the pram'
"He’s got to knuckle down and do what Newcastle demand of him. Players want an awful amount of power, but if you sign a contract, like he did, you should expect to honour that contract in my opinion.
"You can't start throwing your toys out of the pram all of a sudden. I understand if you’re not playing as much as you’d like, and you see the manager and say 'I want a move away'.
"After being a major factor in Newcastle's success last season, I don’t think you can start knocking on doors and demanding things from the club. You’re under contract. If the club want to sell you, then that’s a different conversation.
"If they receive an acceptable bid from their point of view, then they can come to you and say it’s a good deal for a lot of money, and we want to accept it.
"You can’t sign a contract and then, three months down the line, say I want to leave because another club is interested in me. I just don’t think it’s right."
Steve McManaman - 'Something has upset him'
"If you're Newcastle, you don’t have to do anything. I don’t know what’s gone on, but reading between the lines, he was promised something last year that hasn’t materialised.
"There’s been a lot of change at the top of Newcastle after the sporting director left and the club CEO Darren Eales stepped down due to health reasons.
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"But he’s got a three-year deal with Newcastle. If Newcastle don’t bring a centre-forward in, he has to stay, it’s as simple as that.
"Once the season starts and the transfer window closes, that’s the end of it. I don’t know the situation in terms of what’s gone on behind the scenes, but clearly, something has upset him.
"He doesn’t look like that type of player that can go from [Real] Sociedad, to Newcastle, for a huge sum of money, and then behave like this. Something has gone on in the background that we’re not privy to."
Michail Antonio - 'Why should you be loyal?'
"It’s a very interesting situation. You need to know where things are going and if the club are willing to let you go or not.
"But I’m going to be honest and say clubs are no longer loyal to players.
"The fans can be loyal, but the actual owners are no longer loyal to players. This means that a player shouldn’t be loyal to any owner or any club. At the end of the day, they will get rid of you whenever they want, so why should you be loyal to them?
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"If he wants to move to win things and better his life, then I feel that the opportunity is there for him to do so. On the other hand, you have a contract with the club and if you don’t find a way out, you’re going to be stuck in that situation.
"It’s also important to add that Isak is one of the best players at Newcastle, but he’s going to be disgruntled at the club if he doesn’t get a move, which isn’t going to help anyone.
"So, it might be better to take the money and let him go rather than keep a star player who is not helping the club. Something has to give from either party involved."
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