The European transfer window closed on Tuesday morning (Malaysian time), with Newcastle’s Alexander Isak (main image), finally getting his wish by moving to Liverpool. Replacing Isak at Newcastle is Brentford’s Yoane Wissa.
Both strikers had gone on strike to force their move, but it was Isak who was labelled a “traitor”, while Wissa quietly flew under the radar – until completing his move.
Isak secured a record £125 million move to Liverpool from Newcastle, which used £55 million of that money to sign Wissa. The club still has £70 million to spend in the January transfer window.
Isak, in a statement last month, said the “relationship couldn’t continue” and that Newcastle had “broken” their agreements. He was promised a new contract last year, but it did not happen. The club also pledged to sign top-quality players, which only happened when Wissa arrived.
Wissa also posted a statement on social media two days before the transfer window’s conclusion, urging Brentford to “keep their word” and permit his departure.
As expected, there was a mixed reaction to the duo’s stance – especially when compared with Marc Guehi’s behaviour.
The Crystal Palace captain continued to train and played in the club’s four matches – three in the English Premier League and one in the UEFA Conference League. The England international even scored as Palace defeated Aston Villa 3-0 last week.
Guehi had completed a medical and said his goodbyes to his teammates, only for Palace to pull out of the deal with Liverpool at the very last minute. The England international is said to be upset but will not make a fuss before his eventual departure, either in the January transfer window or when his contract ends in May.
His former teammate, Eberechi Eze, also continued to train and play for Palace, although he missed the Conference League match as he was busy finalising his move to Arsenal.
Early last month, Newcastle legend Alan Shearer told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I get clubs and football players, there is no loyalty. Clubs look after themselves and players look after themselves, but there’s a way of doing things.”
Former Blackburn striker Chris Sutton called Isak and Wissa’s behaviour “despicable”, “disgraceful” and “disrespectful”, while ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart said clubs “have stomped all over players” in the past.
Whether Isak and Wissa’s actions will signal a new ‘player power’ movement remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, club football takes a back seat this week with the first international break for World Cup qualification matches.
Next year’s World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with 48 countries competing in 16 host cities, including Los Angeles, Houston, Boston and Monterrey.
