Alexander Isak: Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney examples can help find Newcastle solution

Alexander Isak is continuing to push for his Newcastle exit and his recent statement may have left him with no way back – but the likes of Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane have recovered from such situations in the past

Alexander Isak is seemingly happy to burn bridges left, right and centre in an effort to force his Newcastle exit. His latest shot came in the form of a statement, accusing Newcastle of broken promises.

The Swede is currently refusing to train or play for the Magpies, making it known he’s played his final game for them. All of that whilst his employers maintain he is not for sale despite Liverpool’s well publicised interest.

Isak has claimed that “promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time.” His downing of tools has come as a huge shock given his status as a hero on Tyneside, his role in Newcastle’s recent rise and the way he’s come across so far during his time in England.

Alan Shearer admits he “didn’t think Isak had this in him” as the player pulls out all the stops to get his way, despite having three years left on his deal. Reconciliation appears a long way away, perhaps even something that can no longer be achieved.

Whilst the transfer market is open and Isak can get a way out, he’ll continue to push, but if he’s still at the club come September he may have to try and make amends. Especially with a World Cup to come this summer.

READ MORE: Alexander Isak’s team-mate’s stunned reaction on radio after huge transfer announcementREAD MORE: Alexander Isak to Liverpool decision debated as Newcastle star left in ‘no man’s land’

Coming back from such depths may seem lightyears away now, but it has been achieved. Just ask some of the Premier League’s greatest ever forwards. Isak isn’t the first, and won’t be the last, major name to decide he’s had enough. Only to realise playing for the club he was desperate to leave is his only hope.

Suarez’s Liverpool return

Some regard Luis Suarez’s efforts in 2013/14 as the best single season by a player in Premier League history. He scored 31 times in 33 games as he almost hauled Liverpool to their first title in decades. He picked up numerous individual accolades whilst doing so.

But that summer it looked as if his time at Anfield was over as he publicly called out the club, demanding they sell him so that he could play in the Champions League. Liverpool had missed out on the top four and the Uruguayan seemingly didn’t want to stick around with Arsenal circling.

He said: “I gave absolutely everything last season. Now all I want is for Liverpool to honour our agreement.” Suarez went on to say: “I am 26, I need to be playing in the Champions League. I feel I have done enough to be playing in the Champions League at this stage of my career.”

Four months later and, in the midst of an astonishing individual season, he signed a new long-term deal to become a top earner at Liverpool. Yes he would leave for Barcelona soon after, but his performances would win back over the red folk on Merseyside.

Rooney’s U-turn

Another man who won over those wearing red was one Wayne Rooney. He took on Sir Alex Ferguson, having been frustrated by the lack of ambition being shown by Manchester United in the transfer market. He wanted to know who was going to be signed and when.

Rooney had seen Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo leave and was left firmly as the main man at Old Trafford. He spoke with major individuals at the club but they “did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad” as Rooney made it clear he wouldn’t sign a new deal back in 2010.

Ferguson was frustrated by the matter and the Evertonian had to sit out whilst the initial anger came, which only amplified with talk of a move to Manchester City.

48 hours later though and all was well. Rooney signed a new deal and vowed to do whatever he could to get the fans back onside. He said: “Some fans may not take to me again very quickly. It may take time. But I will give everything. I will give 100 per cent and try to build that relationship back.”

That February Rooney would score a stunning overhead kick to down United’s Manchester rivals – a goal that Ferguson would declare as the greatest he’d ever seen in his time at the club. The forward would spend another seven years at Old Trafford en route to becoming their all-time leading goalscorer.

Kane putting himself on the market

Another man heavily linked with City was Harry Kane, this back in the summer of 2021. Fresh from his efforts with England in the Euros, the Tottenham striker knew a rebuild was on the cards in north London. He was at the peak of his powers and still without a trophy.

The champions were in the market for a new striker and wanted the England captain. He left Tottenham fans furious when in an interview with Gary Neville he put his own valuation on his head and suggested that him leaving would suit him and his club – which the latter clearly didn’t agree with.

Tottenham stood firm and refused to sell Kane, who had to sit out of the opening games as the noise around his future continued. In a similar situation to Isak, Kane felt an agreement was in place to let him leave and frustration mounted when he wasn’t allowed to depart.

Kane would cop boos from some Tottenham fans as he reintegrated himself into the team, albeit his performances were not always at the desired level. The striker is often referred to as “one of our own” in a song sung by the home crowd in Tottenham and he would enjoy his moment in the sun soon enough.

He scored a brace to down City on his first meeting against them following his transfer saga. The following season and a winning goal against the same Manchester outfit would officially see him become the club’s all-time record goalscorer.

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