Wayne Rooney delivers blunt verdict on Alexander Isak’s Newcastle future amid ongoing transfer
Former Manchester United and Everton striker Wayne Rooney has weighed in on the escalating Alexander Isak saga, revealing what his stance would be if he were one of the Newcastle United players watching the drama unfold from the inside.
Under normal circumstances, Newcastle fans would be relishing the build-up to their home clash against Liverpool. It is the first Premier League fixture at St James’ Park this season, and it comes against the very side they famously defeated in the Carabao Cup final earlier this year — a victory that ended the club’s 70-year wait for a domestic trophy. Instead of excitement, however, uncertainty and controversy have clouded the occasion, as speculation surrounding Isak’s future intensifies.
Manager Eddie Howe confirmed ahead of the game that the Swedish forward would not feature against Liverpool, fueling rumours of a possible departure. Isak himself added further drama on Tuesday night with a strongly worded statement suggesting that promises made to him by the club had been broken — widely interpreted as a hint that Newcastle are blocking a summer exit. Despite his frustrations, the striker is still under contract at St James’ Park until 2027, meaning any potential suitors, most notably Liverpool, would need to submit a sizeable bid to prise him away.
The saga has drawn criticism from several high-profile voices. Former Newcastle captain Alan Shearer expressed fury at both Isak and his representatives for their stance, while ex-goalkeeper Shaka Hislop branded the Swede’s statement “ridiculous.” Now, Wayne Rooney has joined the chorus, making it clear that, from a teammate’s perspective, Isak may have already crossed a line of no return.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the 38-year-old was direct in his assessment:
> “If I’m a Newcastle player, I don’t want him back. Players leave football clubs all the time, but there’s a way to do it. You can’t go on strike, you can’t refuse to train. Whether you want to stay or go, you still have to respect your teammates and be ready when needed. For me, if someone deserts the group like that, I wouldn’t want them back. He’s shown he doesn’t want to be there, so why should the rest of the squad accept him again?”
Rooney also acknowledged the hypocrisy that often surrounds transfer disputes, pointing out that Newcastle themselves benefited from Anthony Gordon forcing a move from Everton in similar fashion last year. Likewise, the club are reportedly pushing to sign Brentford forward Yoane Wissa, who has also adopted a hardline stance to secure a transfer.
> “Newcastle are upset with Isak’s behaviour because Liverpool want him, but at the same time they’re chasing a player [Wissa] who’s behaving exactly the same way. You see it happen across the board in football. But from the point of view of the dressing room, I wouldn’t want him back in there,” Rooney added.
The fallout between Isak and Newcastle appears to date back several months. Reports suggest the striker first expressed his desire to leave as far back as May, something Howe tacitly admitted during his press conference on Friday, though he declined to share the full details of their conversation.
As things stand, there seems little progress towards a resolution. Newcastle remain adamant that their talismanic forward, who was one of the standout performers in their campaign last season, is not for sale. With just over a week remaining in the transfer window, the club is determined to stand firm, even if it means keeping an unhappy player in the squad.
For Isak, the situation has become increasingly hostile. Supporters, once enamoured with his goalscoring prowess, have turned against him, while pundits and former players are questioning both his professionalism and the advice he is receiving from his camp.
The uncertainty leaves Newcastle in a precarious position. Howe has had to navigate press conferences dominated by questions about the 25-year-old’s future, while also preparing his side for crucial fixtures at the start of the season.
At present, there is no sign of an amicable solution. Unless either Newcastle soften their stance or Liverpool (or another club) make a decisive move with a huge offer, Isak looks set to remain on Tyneside — albeit as a player whose relationship with the fans, and perhaps his teammates, has been badly damaged.
The hope among some sections of the fanbase is that the striker may yet reconsider his position and work his way back into the squad. However, Rooney’s blunt assessment highlights just how difficult that road could be. If the feeling inside the dressing room mirrors his words, Alexander Isak may already have played his last meaningful role in black and white.