A promising quote from a source close to Newcastle United proves the club really have learned from the Alexander Isak saga.
While fans might roll their eyes at the constant discourse about Isak, there’s little doubt his messy move to Liverpool proved to be a defining moment in Newcastle United’s season.
They insisted all summer that he wasn’t for sale before finally relenting and selling him to Liverpool, all while scrambling to sign replacements who have so far not worked out.
How does the idea of MORE star players leaving after Anthony Gordon make you feel?! 😡
Thankfully, however, it seems there is a genuine push to ensure that the Isak sale only defines one season. It cannot derail the whole project.
Considering other key players are expected to leave Newcastle this summer, that is some of the best news fans could have asked for.
Newcastle source says player sales won’t define them
Indeed, Newcastle United expert Luke Edwards has quoted a source close to the club in an article published by The Daily Telegraph.
They said: “We need to take away the alarm that players do leave football clubs. It’s not a new phenomenon. Not every player linked with a move will leave, but some will and that is just the business of football. Every club sell players and we are going to do so too, as long as the terms of the deal are beneficial to us.”
That kind of thinking is significant progress. For pretty much all of last summer, Newcastle refused to accept that almost every club in the world sometimes loses players against their will.
They wanted to buck the trend and while that stance was admirable, it effectively ruined a whole season.
That cannot be allowed to happen again and while there has long been talk about the idea of wanting to change, it has been promising to see it actioned to a degree this summer.
Actions speak louder than words but Newcastle did sell Anthony Gordon to Barcelona quickly. A transfer saga did not unfold and while that’s only half the battle, it still feels like progress.
Indeed, Newcastle must embrace being a selling club. Do it correctly, and the wheels keep turning, which will be a far cry from what happened last season.
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