Michael Owen has weighed in to the Alexander Isak debate at Newcastle United as Liverpool look to sign him.
Isak has asked to leave Newcastle United and reportedly wants to join Liverpool this summer.
Liverpool are ready to make a bid for Isak, although that is yet to have been lodged at the time of writing.
Owen, of course, is another striker who left Newcastle in acrimonious circumstances.
While the striker wasn’t as celebrated as Isak amongst Toon supporters, his exit after the club’s relegation in 2009 did not go down particularly well. In fact, even during his time on Tyneside, Owen wasn’t the most popular of figures.
The former Liverpool striker, however, expressed some sympathy for the Magpies at the idea of Isak joining the Reds.
- Who is Alexander Isak? The striker who burned his Newcastle United reputation to force £125m Liverpool transfer
Michael Owen’s verdict on Alexander Isak joining Liverpool
Speaking on talkSPORT, Owen admitted that Isak potentially moving to Anfield would be “sad” for football.
Indeed, the ex-England star talked of how fans should want football to be competitive.
Not only would Isak leaving weaken a Newcastle side trying to establish themselves at elite level, it would strengthen a Liverpool team who have already won a Premier League title at a canter under Arne Slot.
Still, Owen did suggest Isak looking to leave Newcastle for Liverpool is just a player trying to win as many major trophies as possible during what is a short career.
“If any decent player becomes available, the big boys come and eventually they move,” he said.
“It’s sad because you want competition in football.
“But you put yourself in a player’s point of view. If you didn’t have ambition, then football would be nothing. You’ve got one short career trying to win as much as you can, trying to get to the best team.
“That’s what drives everybody. People will say it’s money, it’s not.
“Most footballers just want to be in the best teams, in the best competitions and winning trophies.
“Unfortunately, this scenario will never, ever change.”
Why Alexander Isak really wants to leave Newcastle United
The striker stands to make huge money if he joins Liverpool, though it’s not the only reason he’s looking to leave.
Isak wanted Newcastle to show more ambition and is said to have grown disillusioned with life at the club.
He wasn’t offered a new contract in 2024 and progress at the club has stalled over the past two seasons despite success on the pitch.
Newcastle still haven’t appointed a new sporting director or CEO, while updates on potential moves to a new stadium or training ground remain few and far between.
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