Eritrean-Swedish striker Alexander Isak must be sold this week, says Waddle as he slams Newcastle’s ‘pub team’ handling

Former Newcastle United midfielder Chris Waddle has launched a scathing assessment of his old club, describing their handling of Alexander Isak’s future as “like a pub team” while urging them to cash in on the unsettled striker before the transfer window closes.

Isak, who is of Eritrean heritage but represents Sweden at international level, has been training away from the first team after making it clear he wants to join Liverpool.

The 25-year-old has three years left on his contract and has not formally submitted a transfer request, but his determination to leave has sparked a prolonged standoff.

Liverpool had a £110 million bid rejected at the start of the month, and negotiations have since stalled. Speaking to Esports Bets, Waddle insisted Newcastle should act decisively.

“If I were Newcastle, I would sell Alexander Isak this week. I know a lot of fans are urging the club to keep him to punish him, but we’re not talking about a player that is worth a couple million pounds,” he said.

“Isak’s transfer would be a nine-figure sum – an incredible amount of money; there’s too much money involved for him to sit in the reserves.

“If he does leave and Liverpool is his destination, I’d take the £100M plus add-ons and that would be the end of the chapter. The whole situation has been a shambles; it’s been handled like a pub team – it’s embarrassing.”

Isak has not featured for Newcastle since May and was recently called up to the Sweden national team despite the ongoing impasse.

Earlier this month, the forward released a statement accusing Newcastle of reneging on a promise to let him leave this summer. With only days remaining in the transfer window, his future remains in limbo.