Premier League clubs issued strict warning after Alexander Isak 'sets a precedent' - The Mirror

Newcastle United have been at the centre of transfer chaos this summer, with £125million Alexander Isak downing tools to force a move to Liverpool and his replacement, Yoane Wissa, forcing his way out of Brentford before a £50m switch

Newcastle United legend Les Ferdinand has told Alexander Isak he has plunged the future of Premier League transfers into complete chaos after "downing tools" at St James' Park this summer.

The former England and Queens Park Rangers star was irked by Isak's attitude as he forced a £125million move to Liverpool to double his money to £300,000 per week by refusing to play or train in pre-season. Ferdinand feels that Isak's replacement Yoane Wissa was influenced by Isak's very public strike with Brentford eventually forced to sell the DR Congo striker to Newcastle for £50m.

Ferdinand said: "The way it has happened, everybody is talking about what's next for other players in future windows. Alex has set a precedent now, the way players may go about things. I'm not just having a go at Alexander Isak, Yoane Wissa is included in that as well. People are going to look at contracts now and say: 'What are they actually worth?' If a player can down tools.

"You have players who are on six year or seven year deals, if you can down tools and say: 'I ain't playing for you anymore, I want a move'. In that case, contracts mean nothing."

Ferdinand made huge transfer moves himself as a player when leaving QPR for Newcastle in 1995 for £6m before signing for Tottenham Hotspur two years later. Ferdinand said: "I can 100 percent see why Isak wanted Liverpool.

"The analogy is Newcastle are building the tower still, Liverpool's tower is already built and they are putting in the soft furnishing. Liverpool won the league last year and they look a strong outfit and want to add to what they've won.

"Historically, they are a fantastic club, and Isak will double his money. So all the incentives are there for him as a player, and I totally get it from a player point of view. I just don't like the way he went about it.

"There are ways to do things and he could have still had the outcome he wanted, he could have left Newcastle a hero still. But the way he went about it rankles."

Wissa comes in with the immediate pressure of adding fire to Eddie Howe's attack and Ferdinand feels he is more than capable. Ferdinand said: "Wissa is of an age now where he is ready to take on the No.9 shirt.

"Wissa has had a couple of good years now in the Premier League with Brentford scoring goals. OK, perhaps he is not the traditional centre-forward or no.9 you would think about wearing the No.9 for Newcastle, but I am sure he will go there and thrive.

"I am still of the opinion that I am not sure I liked the way he went about things. The same way I didn't like the way Isak went about things, but that is by the by now.

"It's done and dusted so it is about, from a Newcastle point of view, Wissa needs to get his head down and score goals.

"He has proven that he can score goals in the Premier League and he seems pretty confident that he can do it at Newcastle on a regular basis, it's exactly what we need."

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