Isak 'is behaving despicably'

Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak has behaved "despicably" as he tries to force a move to Liverpool this summer, that's according to The Telegraph's Luke Edwards.

Isak has been training separately from his team-mates this summer after pulling out of their pre-season tour through injury.

Edwards, the northern football writer for The Telegraph, believes it was always a move he could see coming, but he is surprised at the way Isak has conducted himself.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Podcast, he said: "Everybody knew he was one of the most coveted players in Europe, and people knew he would get to a point where he felt he had outgrown Newcastle.

"The message has always been the same that he would not be allowed to leave and that he is not for sale and that stance has not changed. What has changed is that nobody anticipated that Isak would behave as badly as he has done.

"He is effectively refusing to play and he is desperate to force his way out. Newcastle's stance is being put under the ultimate stress test because you have a player willing to burn bridges on his way out. I think he is behaving despicably."

The Sweden international remains at the club with the start of the Premier League season on the horizon, putting Newcastle, and boss Eddie Howe, in a difficult situation.

"You've got a board, in Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund that aren't bullied in any kind of business that they do and they are insisting he will not go, but in the middle you've got Eddie Howe," added Edwards.

"The problem Liverpool have got is that they went in too low with the first bid and Newcastle need two strikers in three weeks. It would look bad for them to buckle having had the stance that he won't be sold, only to then go and sell him."

Listen to full episode on BBC Sounds here.