Alan Shearer makes Newcastle demand as Alexander Isak saga reaches boiling point - 'Bonkers'

Newcastle have been urged to sign TWO strikers before Monday's transfer deadline by Alan Shearer , who says the unresolved Alexander Isak saga means his former club will likely have to accept paying 'bonkers' transfer fees for other players.

Isak, 25, is adamant that he has played his final game for Newcastle and has yet to feature for Eddie Howe 's side so far this season. The Sweden international covets a move to Liverpool , who are expected to table a second proposal for the striker before the transfer window closes, though it remains to be seen if the Magpies will sanction a sale.

From a Newcastle standpoint, they have insisted all summer that there is no appetite to sell Isak and the club are actively looking to bolster their attack before the deadline rather than parting ways with their chief marksman.

The club have been unsuccessful in their attempts to sign a new No 9 this summer and have most recently seen bids rejected for Yoane Wissa and Jorgen Strand Larsen . But Shearer, the club's all-time leading goalscorer, says something simply has to give before Monday night given the current Isak stand-off.

“Newcastle need strikers not just one striker I guess, in terms of whatever the decision is with Alexander Isak,” he told Betfair . “There's no doubt they definitely need to sign one striker. Possibly two. I guess after what happened on Monday evening with Anthony Gordon now being out for three games, whoever it is, whether it's Strand Larsen, Wissa, or both.

“Their transfer fees are going up as we speak because of the situation Newcastle are in financially and the desperation for forwards.”

Newcastle are expected to improve their most recent offer for Strand Larsen to £60million in the hopes of agreeing a deal for the Wolves striker, who plundered 14 top-flight goals during a successful maiden season in English football last term.

Shearer, though, says such a move is another example of how "bonkers" the transfer market has gone, particularly for strikers.

He added: “I think Wissa will be a more important signing. Strand Larsen is a bit different, I guess. I don't think anyone expected that one. That's not a slant on him because he scored 14 goals for Wolves last season. We know the window has gone mad, I mean £75million or so for Benjamin Sesko. It's a huge fee. Similar with Viktor Gyokeres.

“The difference with Strand Larsen and Wissa is that they've had a season or two in the Premier League , so they know what it's about. I think somehow, you have to try and take the transfer fee out because fees have just gone bonkers, they really have. Whether Newcastle sell Isak for whatever they get, I guess that's probably why the fee you're talking about is for him.”

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