Tim Sherwood doesn’t believe in reports coming out of Newcastle United as he also gives his verdict on the signing of Xavi Simons.
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Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood has rubbished the idea that Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is being kept in the dark over the future of star man Alexander Isak.
The 25-year-old has been the centre of a huge transfer saga this summer amid reported interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool. The Telegraph claims that the Champions are now set to bid a staggering £130 million for Isak.
The Magpies paid £63 million to sign the talisman from Real Sociedad in 2022 and he has gone on to bag 62 goals for the Tyneside outfit. Liverpool have already splurged £79 million on buying Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer but do not appear to be done strengthening their front line.
Tim Sherwood drops Alexander Isak transfer claim
Isak has not featured for Newcastle United so far this season and has been frozen out of first team plans amid reports that the player is trying to force through a transfer. However, Sherwood provided an alternative conspiracy theory when talking to Sky Sports.
He said: “I think he’s handled it really well but he’s not been left in the dark, let’s be honest about it. Eddie knows what’s been happening all along. The perception is he’s in the dark, he’s not. Alan will tell you, Isak would have spoken to Arne Slot. He would’ve spoke to Michael Edwards, Richard Hughes. This is how it works, let’s not kid ourselves that all of a sudden they’ve agreed a fee and then they can start talking.
“They’ve encouraged him and said you’ve got to do your job now to try and get yourself out of the football club. No matter how he’s gone about it, I don’t genuinely believe that he’s refused to play for Newcastle. I cannot believe that he would do that, I don’t believe he has. I don’t think Isak has refused to play for Newcastle. I think they know all along that this was going to happen and that it is up to Liverpool to come forward now.
Newcastle United sign £69m Stuttgart striker
“I think they decided to keep him away from it, up to now. This will get done and thrash itself out. If you don’t let him go now, you end up without the money or the player, they are in a corner now. Let him go, it looks like you bought a striker in and you’ll need another, and need the finances to do that.”
Arsenal were linked with a move for Isak earlier in the window but have since invested £55 million in Viktor Gyokeres since then. Newcastle United confirmed the signing of Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade for a club record £69 million this weekend, which could open the door for an Isak exit.
Sherwood also gave his verdict on Spurs’ new signing Xavi Simons, who arrives at the club from RB Leipzig for £52 million. He said: “They’ve got a lot of players in their squad (who are) very similar. Mathys Tel, why did they bring him in? I mean, he’s blocking up pathways. They’re all as good as each other.
“What I’m saying is I wanted them to sign a player who’s going to go straight into the first-team and be a mainstay in the side. I’m not sure Xavi Simons is that man. He excites me at times. He’s a bottle of pop, sometimes he fizzes and you go, wow. Then, for a couple of games, you don’t see him. I hope I’m wrong. I hope he gets some consistency.”
In other news, European club scared that Tottenham will hijack defender transfer due to player's 'preference'.