Sir Alex Ferguson's handling of Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer saga in 2008 offers a lesson for Eddie Howe as Newcastle United face a similar situation with Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker, 25, has reportedly told Newcastle he will never play for the club again after a rejected £120 million bid from Liverpool and frustration over contract talks.
In his 2013 autobiography, Ferguson revealed he struck a secret deal with Ronaldo, who wanted to join Real Madrid. Ferguson told the Portuguese star: 'You can't go this year, not after the way Calderon has approached the issue. If you perform, don't mess us about, and someone comes and offers us a world-record fee, then we will let you go.' Ronaldo stayed one more season before moving for £80 million.
Newcastle have set a £150 million price tag for Isak, but no club has met it. The striker has missed pre-season training and trained with his former club Real Sociedad, angering pundits Gabby Agbonlahor and Ally McCoist. Agbonlahor said: 'Who does he think he is? Disgusting, what that club has done for you.' McCoist questioned whether such behaviour suits a top transfer target.
If Howe follows Ferguson's approach, he may have to accept Isak sitting in the stands rather than playing, a difficult prospect in the modern game. The situation remains unresolved as the transfer window draws to a close.
