‘Get him out’ – Alan Shearer fires Alexander Isak warning as wantaway striker prepares for Newcastle return

Alan Shearer says he wants Alexander Isak “out now” if the Newcastle striker shows no willingness to reintegrate into the squad.

Isak is due back at training this week after skipping the club’s tour of the Far East. Newcastle claimed it was due to a minor thigh injury but it subsequently emerged the Sweden international was exploring a move away from St James’ Park.

The 25-year-old spent last week working out in San Sebastián – at the training ground of former club Real Sociedad – in another sign of his dissatisfaction with life on Tyneside.

Isak has three years left on his contract but is thought to want a move to Liverpool, even though the Premier League champions have indicated they are not planning a second bid after seeing an initial offer of around £110million rejected last week.

Isak saga has clouded Newcastle’s summer

It is far from ideal for Newcastle and boss Eddie Howe less than a fortnight before the season kicks off and the club’s former striker Shearer wants clarity either way.

He told The Rest is Football podcast: “I’m not angry at all towards him. I understand how football works, I know what happens in and around the game. 

“I probably understand his mentality. Do I like it? Do I understand it? Probably two different things.

“But I know what football is about and I know how it works, and obviously Liverpool have been into him or his agent.

“I just thought it might have happened next year and if it really is impossible for Eddie to turn him around and he says no, and it sounds like that is the case, I want him to be out now, you get your big money for him, whoever’s prepared to pay that and you get other people in, hopefully beforehand, and then you move on.

“As I said, no individual is bigger than any football club, and if he doesn’t want to be there, fine, get what you can and get him out and say thanks very much for the memories, off you go.”

It has been a disastrous window for Newcastle – Shearer

Newcastle have identified RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko as their preferred replacement should Isak leave, although Manchester United are also interested.

Should Sesko opt for Old Trafford instead it would continue a theme of players rejecting Newcastle this summer. Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo and James Trafford have all turned down the Magpies and Shearer concedes the past few weeks have not gone according to plan.

“Up to now it’s been a disastrous window for Newcastle,” Shearer added.

“It was meant to be the time we kicked on with heavy investment and hopefully go to another level. It’s been anything but that to be honest.

“They’ve missed out on several first-choice targets, so up to now it’s been really poor. Their transfer window has been a mess.”