Ex-Newcastle Star Delivers Blunt "Tough" Reality Check to Alexander Isak After Bitter Departure
Newcastle United centre-back Dan Burn extended his best wishes to his former colleague Alexander Isak, who has joined Liverpool, while acknowledging that the striker's conduct during the summer transfer window created a "difficult predicament" for everyone at St. James' Park.
Isak openly declined to represent Newcastle after the club prevented his transfer to Liverpool at the beginning of a chaotic transfer period. Subsequently excluded from all senior squad activities and forced to practice in isolation with empty goalposts, relations became strained as the club's star player attempted to engineer his departure.
There were also claims that Isak's dissatisfaction affected the conclusion of the previous campaign, when he supposedly behaved like someone who didn't want the Magpies to secure Champions League qualification.
Newcastle achieved elite European competition and eventually abandoned their refusal to sell position, receiving a British-record £130 million ($175.6 million) for the 25-year-old forward.
"I'm relieved it's concluded," was Burn's tired evaluation of an exhausting summer. "We were eager for the transfer window to end just to gain certainty," the defender informed gathered journalists before England's World Cup qualifier versus Andorra.
"I've been involved in football sufficiently long to recognize that for a player the career is brief and they have ambitions they wish to fulfill. I'm pleased it's finished. Alex is a friend and it's a difficult predicament as you want him present to assist the squad. But [I] also comprehend what he needs to accomplish individually. I have nothing except positive thoughts for Alex."
That understanding approach has not been echoed by the club's supporters, who labeled the striker a "rat" alongside considerably more explicit songs during recent fixtures.
"There's no resentment," Burn maintained. "As a Newcastle supporter myself, you understand what Newcastle fans are like; we're defensive of our club and city and you desire players who want to be present for Newcastle and don't want to foolishly believe there is anywhere else to go besides playing for Newcastle. I comprehend why our supporters were annoyed. I've been in the sport long enough to understand what happens and wish him success, except when we face Liverpool."
Burn was not the only one saying goodbye to Isak warmly. "He sent a message in the group chat simply stating that he was departing, and thanks for the experiences, all that kind of thing, and the players responded," the England international disclosed.
Despite his attempts at reconciliation, Burn acknowledged that the ongoing situation was disruptive. "I believe it can be irritating at times," he confessed. "Everything was so encouraging last season, so that diminished things slightly.
"But I'm not naive, I've been involved in football for a considerable time now, and people have brief careers, and they want to maximize absolutely everything they can, so there are no bitter feelings from me. I believe we've acquired two quality players in that role now, which will hopefully compensate for the goals we've lost."
Newcastle signed young German striker Nick Woltemade for a club-record £65 million as well as seasoned Premier League performer Yoane Wissa to replace Isak.
"Alex is my friend ultimately, so it was a difficult predicament," Burn concluded, "but I'm pleased that we're receiving a substantial return on a player and he's obtaining the transfer that he desired."