Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has conceded he won’t have the final say regarding Alexander Isak’s future at the club.
The 25-year-old Swedish international is currently training individually after missing the club’s Sela Cup matches against Espanyol and Atletico Madrid this weekend. He also sat out the Magpies’ pre-season tour to Singapore and South Korea amid persistent interest from Liverpool.
Newcastle has reportedly rejected a £110 million bid from Liverpool for Isak, who has three years left on his contract. However, the player’s situation remains uncertain.
When asked after Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid at St James’ Park about potentially losing Isak, Howe stated: “That’s a decision that I won’t make, that will be for other people to make.”
“My focus is on managing the situation, the team, and most importantly, the group of players I work with daily, who I enjoy coaching and helping.”
“We are concentrating on [next weekend’s Premier League opener against] Aston Villa. To a large extent, everything else is beyond my control, and therefore not my focus.”
Further pressed about reports that Isak had been informed he would not be sold this summer, Howe responded: “That’s not something I’m aware of. Of course, there are ongoing discussions that I’m not involved in. I have no knowledge of that.”
Newcastle, who signed Isak from Real Sociedad for £63 million in the summer of 2022, have reportedly placed a £150 million valuation on him to deter potential buyers. They now face a significant challenge in persuading the player to continue his career at St James’ Park.
When asked if he believed he could convince his star striker to stay, Howe said: “If it was that easy, I’d have done it yesterday.”
The Isak situation has intensified Newcastle’s transfer window activity, which has faced several setbacks in recent weeks with Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, James Trafford, and Joao Pedro failing to materialize as signings.
The club was already seeking another striker to replace the departed Callum Wilson. Howe will also be hoping that Anthony Gordon’s injury during Saturday’s game doesn’t compound his problems.
He said: “It’s an ankle problem. We initially thought it might be a muscle problem, but the good news is I think it was just a twist, so the initial feeling is he should be OK.”
In positive news for Howe, Newcastle are believed to be nearing a deal for AC Milan’s German international defender Malick Thiaw, although he stated: “I’ve been preparing these two games the last two days, so I’m not updated on anything that’s happened.”
