Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has admitted the ongoing standoff with Alexander Isak has left both the player and the club in what he described as a “lose-lose situation.”
Alexander Isak, a 25-year-old Swedish international who has made clear his desire to join Liverpool, has not trained with Newcastle’s first team for over a week. A £110 million bid from the Reds was rejected earlier this month, sparking a public fallout.
Isak, in a strongly worded statement, accused Newcastle of breaking promises, claiming he had been assured he could leave if a major club came calling with a substantial offer. The Magpies quickly denied those claims, insisting no such agreement was ever made.
Since then, the forward has been working away from the main group and was absent from Newcastle’s Premier League opener. He will also miss Monday night’s high-profile clash against Liverpool, the very side he hopes to join before the transfer window shuts on September 1.
Speaking to reporters, Howe admitted he has not been in contact with Alexander Isak for days.
“I haven’t seen him this week, but when I see him, we speak as normal, there are no issues there,” Howe said. “It’s a difficult situation from both sides and it’s far from ideal for both parties. When we bump into each other we speak, but he’s been training later on and detached from the group. Hopefully, we will catch up soon.”
Despite the tension, Howe stressed he would have no hesitation reintegrating Isak if he remains on Tyneside.
“Yes, of course. He’s contracted to us, he’s our player. My wish is that he would be playing on Monday night with us. But he won’t be and that’s regrettable,” he explained.
The situation has also started to spill into the stands. Newcastle supporters chanted critically about Isak during last week’s game at Aston Villa. Yet Howe believes the striker still has the respect of the dressing room.
“I have no doubt about how the players will feel. They will feel the same way I do. Alex is a fantastic player, he’s a good person, a good character and a good lad,” the Newcastle manager added. “If Alex wanted to come back and play for us, the players would welcome him.”
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