Online Reporter
THERE is a reason why the National Union of Alexander Isak has downed tools, hoping to stage a one-man Jarrow march to Anfield.
And it’s this: Going on strike in the Premier League actually works.
There is a recurring theme with players who refuse to play and demand a move — throw your toys out of the pram and you will get your own way.
High-profile examples include Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham to Manchester United, Raheem Sterling from Liverpool to Manchester City, Diego Costa from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid, Dimitri Payet from West Ham to Marseille and William Gallas.
Gallas even threatened to score own goals as a Chelsea player unless he was sold to Arsenal.
The fascinating aspect with Isak is that nobody has ever previously tried going on strike when their ultimate bosses are the richest owners in world football.
Newcastle United’s Saudi paymasters are not known for tolerating dissent.
So how will the bankrollers of the Saudi Public Investment Fund cope with such a flagrant show of defiance out here in the free world?
Their natural inclination will be to play hardball and not to lose face by capitulating to the demands of a player who has three years left on his contract.
And while the Saudis certainly do have more money than sense, they are also acutely aware that PSR regulations are hampering Newcastle and that an improved bid of around £140million would make financial sense.
Adding to the intrigue surrounding Liverpool’s interest in Isak is the fact that Arne Slot’s champions are heading to St James’ Park on Monday night.
It is surely unthinkable — even if Liverpool make a serious improvement on their initial £110m bid — that Newcastle would strike a deal before that fiendishly-scheduled fixture.
Should Isak make his Liverpool debut at St James’ Park, it would make Luis Figo’s return to the Nou Camp — after joining Real Madrid from Barcelona — look like a teddy bear’s picnic.
On that occasion, almost a quarter of a century ago, Figo had an actual pig’s head thrown at him as he prepared to take a corner.
But if Isak’s move to Liverpool happens, it would surely come much closer to the September 1 transfer deadline.
Either way, there seems to be no way back for Isak at Newcastle. Players who go on strike are rarely reintegrated, even temporarily.
For fans this is the ultimate betrayal. Quite rightly, they have no sympathy with a player who is earning £6m per year and demanding even more.
Even though the Swede’s current wage is well below the going rate for a world class striker.
And for team-mates, who generally understand a fellow professional’s desire to better himself, refusing to play crosses a line.
At 25, he is approaching his peak and knows his current club are unlikely to win either the Premier League or Champions League this season or next.
Liverpool, always holier-than-thou, will stand on the sidelines as if butter wouldn’t melt — and history suggests they will get their man. —Reuters
