Wayne Rooney tells Eddie Howe what to do with Alexander Isak after striker goes AWOL to force Liverpool move

As Alexander Isak pushes for a move to Liverpool before the transfer window closes, former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has told Eddie Howe what he should do about the Newcastle forward.

With a little over two weeks to go until the transfer window closes, Liverpool remain keen on Isak as they look to continue their summer splurge.

The Reds have signed Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike in the off-season, while Giovanni Leoni is expected to secure his move to Anfield before long.

Liverpool, though, are not done in the market and have already seen one official bid for Isak rejected.

The Magpies hitman is keen on the switch to the Premier League champions, but so far Newcastle have been steadfast in their quest to retain his services.

Wayne Rooney delivers his verdict on the Alexander Saga (Credit:Getty)

And ex-United star Rooney has delivered his opinion on what Howe should do next with Isak, who is hoping to force a move to Liverpool before the transfer window closes on September 1st.

Speaking on his new BBC podcast – The Wayne Rooney Show – the iconic Premier League striker said: “Isak is a top player. It is very difficult for him to stay at Newcastle - I have seen a lot of things with the club's fans saying he has gone about it the wrong way.

“You don't know what they are saying at board level but you imagine they would want him to stay, because for Newcastle to lose Isak when they are trying to build and try and form a squad to challenge for the league - it is a big loss for them.”

Magpies have endured a tough window

That said, Rooney believes there could be a positive to Isak’s potential sale as any exit would free up funds that Newcastle can invest back into the squad as they look to build upon last season’s Champions League finish.

Howe’s side have struggled to make the requisite additions to the squad having missed out on Joao Pedro and Ekitike to Chelsea and Liverpool, respectively, with Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw, Antonito Cordero and Aaron Ramsdale the only new arrivals at St. James’ Park.

That said, Yoane Wissa is expected to secure his move to Newcastle before long with the Brentford strike, like Isak, also angling for a summer transfer.

Newcastle should sell and free up funds to strengthen

“The difference now - with all the financial fair play and PSR - for Newcastle it might benefit them to sell him to free up money, bring more players in and actually make the squad a little bit stronger,” Rooney added.

“For Isak as well it is an opportunity to join Liverpool, who have just won the Premier League. It is such a huge opportunity for him.”

Liverpool kick off their Premier League defence with the welcome of Bournemouth tonight, while Newcastle make the trip to Aston Villa for Saturday’s lunchtime clash.

Howe has already confirmed that Isak won’t make the matchday squad for the Magpies’ game at Villa Park this week.