Dan Burn Expresses Relief Over Alexander Isak's Transfer
Newcastle defender Dan Burn has expressed his relief that the transfer saga involving former teammate Alexander Isak has come to an end.
Swedish striker Isak completed a move to Liverpool from Newcastle on transfer deadline day for a British record fee of £125 million.
The transfer followed weeks of uncertainty and tension between Isak and Newcastle, as the 25-year-old sought a departure while the club was reluctant to let him go.
Speaking to the media ahead of England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra on Saturday, Burn, who has earned two caps for his national team, stated that he holds "no animosity" towards Isak.
"We wanted the transfer window to close to gain some clarity on the situation," Burn remarked. "For me, I’m happy it’s over."
He added, "Alex is a friend, so it’s a difficult situation. You want him around to support the team, but he also has personal matters to address, so I wish him nothing but the best."
Isak had joined Newcastle in a £60 million transfer from Real Sociedad in 2022, scoring 27 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions last season. He played a key role in helping the Magpies secure the Carabao Cup in March and finish fifth in the Premier League, which earned them a spot in the Champions League.
However, amid interest from Premier League champions Liverpool this summer, Isak released a statement claiming that promises made by Newcastle had been "broken," indicating that their relationship could no longer continue. The Magpies denied providing Isak with assurances regarding his departure, but ultimately accepted Liverpool's record-breaking offer after signing fellow strikers Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa late in the transfer window.
After his departure, Isak expressed his "forever gratitude" to Newcastle.
Burn, 33, who has made 152 Premier League appearances for Newcastle, acknowledged the fans' frustration regarding the saga. "As a Newcastle fan, I understand how protective our supporters are of the club. We want players who are committed to playing for Newcastle," Burn noted. "However, I’ve been in the game long enough to understand the complexities involved, and I wish Alex all the best... except when we face Liverpool, of course!"