Matty O'Neill

Time for Alexander Isak to stop the game in the shadows and hand in a transfer request. He wants to leave Newcastle United, Liverpool want him, Newcastle deserve a proper price, £130m+, and time to find a replacement. Eddie Howe, a good manager, deserves a break from this distracting saga. Impossible to see Isak playing for Newcastle again. Are the Saudis really going to stick an asset in the reserves? That would guarantee a cloud over the club all season and every one of Howe’s press conferences dominated by more Isak talk. Players move, they’re not fans, loyalty is short term, it’s a short career, Isak is ambitious and Liverpool offer more chance of sporting glory. (And let’s not forget what’s happening to Brentford over Yoanne Wissa who looks bound for Newcastle). But the situation is tacky, Isak is damaging his reputation, perhaps deliberately, so Newcastle accept he can never pull on that famous black-and-white shirt again. He has to go. But Isak should remember how Newcastle and Howe improved him as a player. He should remember the support of the fans. Whatever he may or may not have been promised in the past, Isak should show Newcastle some respect by ending this distracting game of poker behind the scenes with a formal transfer request. St James’ Park on August 25 should be lively: Newcastle v Liverpool. Lively on the pitch, in the stands and in the boardroom. #NUFC #LFC