Newcastle, Howe signals openness to Isak sale: “I can’t ignore what has happened”
Eddie Howe has hinted for the first time that he may be prepared to sanction Alexander Isak’s departure from Newcastle. The Swedish striker, who has long shown his discontent, told the club’s owners in a private meeting at his Northumberland home last Monday that he no longer wished to play for the Magpies – even if he were to stay beyond the transfer deadline.
Since that bombshell, Howe has not spoken directly to Isak, who accused the club of broken promises and a loss of trust. The manager, however, has denied ever guaranteeing the forward the chance to leave.
Behind the scenes, Newcastle have been working all summer on potential replacements that would allow Isak to join Liverpool. The club are close to finalising the signing of German striker Nick Woltemade in a £65m deal – a record outlay for the Magpies. Sources suggest the Premier League champions could return with a concrete bid for Isak, leaving Newcastle with a major decision to make. The hierarchy are also keen to bring in a second striker before the window shuts.
Speaking at his press conference, Howe admitted:
“Obviously I have my preference from a football perspective, but all the information has to be considered. You can’t ignore what has happened. I’m trying to take a step back because I have no control over the situation. I’ll let things play out and then deal with whatever comes.”
On handling the fallout, Howe added:
“You can’t be emotionally involved or you make the wrong calls. I had to detach myself when Alex came out of the squad. I decided my priority had to be giving my best to the group and focusing entirely on them, knowing this situation wasn’t going to be resolved quickly and I had no power to change it.”
In his press conference ahead of AS Roma’s clash with Pisa, Gian Piero Gasperini also addressed questions about Jadon Sancho, with the Manchester United winger having been strongly linked with the club in recent weeks through sporting director Ricky Massara.
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