Alan Shearer’s nearest counterpart in Newcastle’s attacking lineup during his playing days was Les Ferdinand, a talented striker who played alongside Shearer in the 1990s. In the 1996-97 season, Shearer and Ferdinand formed a formidable partnership, scoring 49 goals between them. Shearer netted 25 goals, while Ferdinand contributed 17 goals that season. However, Newcastle United surprisingly sold Ferdinand to Tottenham Hotspur for £6 million that summer, a decision that Shearer has openly criticized.

Shearer expressed his frustration with the decision, stating that he couldn’t understand why the club would sell one of the best strikers in the division. Newcastle struggled to find a suitable replacement for Ferdinand, and the team ultimately fell short of winning the Premier League title, despite having a 12-point lead at one stage.

In contrast, Newcastle’s current ownership is keen on retaining their star players, including Alexander Isak, who has been linked to Liverpool. Isak’s situation has been described as a “disaster” by Shearer, who believes that Newcastle should sell the striker if manager Eddie Howe can’t resolve the issues surrounding his potential departure ¹[a1].

Shearer’s comments suggest that Newcastle’s inability to find a suitable replacement for Isak might lead to the striker’s departure. Liverpool has reportedly tried to sign Isak, with the player seemingly eager to join the Reds. The transfer saga has overshadowed Newcastle’s pre-season, which has been marred by poor performances ².