Mark Clattenburg has echoed Alan Shearer by insisting Alexander Isak should have submitted a formal transfer request this summer, while also urging Newcastle United to take stronger disciplinary action against the striker.
The former Premier League referee, speaking on the Whistleblowers podcast, said it was time for Newcastle to sell Isak after the Sweden international refused to play in a bid to force a move to Liverpool. The Merseyside club had a £110m offer rejected before the 2025/26 campaign began, and Isak is currently training alone.
“It's time to get rid,” Clattenburg said. “When I saw the fans at Aston Villa, that was a turning point for me. Now is the time to get him out – if a player doesn't want to play, get rid of him. Enough is enough. Isak signed a contract, he was happy with that contract. If he's that furious, why not put a transfer request in?”
Clattenburg also questioned why Newcastle had not fined Isak, adding: “Why have they not fined Isak two weeks wages already? Liverpool created this situation: we could of have had Hugo Ekitike, and they would have gotten what they wanted. They wanted both – but, wouldn't we all? If we'd signed Ekitike – this situation wouldn't have happened.”
He concluded by comparing Isak unfavourably to former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, saying: “Fans can turn, but this has crossed a line. Steven Gerrard or Wayne Rooney never refused to play. Isak has refused to play.”
