Eddie Howe says Alexander Isak still has a future at Newcastle – but the Liverpool target cannot currently train with the squad and will miss their Premier League opener against Aston Villa.
Isak recently returned to the Magpies training ground after missing the entirety of the Magpies’ pre-season tour and trained away from the squad, upon Howe’s request.
Newcastle have reportedly turned down an offer of £110million plus add-ons from Liverpool for the Sweden international, who informed the club of his desire to explore options away from St James’ Park.
The 25-year-old was not involved in Newcastle’s final pre-season game, a 2-2 draw versus Espanyol which saw youngster William Osula start up front and Howe thinks it is unlikely the 25-year-old will be available for the trip to Villa Park in a week’s time.
“I’d want Alex to be playing today, I’d want him training tomorrow,” the Toon manager said. “We would love the player to be with us – let me make that absolutely clear. There’s no part of me that doesn’t want that outcome.
“But I don’t see that changing before Aston Villa, the current situation we’re in.”
Howe: Isak still has Newcastle future
Despite admitting the situation is far from ideal at this current moment, Howe insists he is still keen for Isak, who scored 27 goals in all competitions last season, to remain a key part of Newcastle’s squad moving forward.
“We’ve had discussions and it’s clear at the moment we can’t have him involved with the group,” said Howe.
“I don’t know how long that will be for. It’s clear I can’t involve him with the team at the moment.
“He is training later than the rest of the squad. There have been discussions since the tour. I don’t think disciplinary action has happened.”
When pushed for an answer on whether Isak has a future at the club, Howe added: “He is here, so of course he has a future at Newcastle. From our perspective, we would love to have him back with the team, but the situation has to be right for that to happen.
“He doesn’t have a fitness issue. I’m aware of a feeling within the squad that there’s something there not to the benefit of the group.”
Howe: Newcastle can’t refuse to sell Isak
Isak remains under contract with Newcastle for another three years and asked if the club can dig their heels in and refuse to sell the striker, Howe said: “I don’t think it’s that straightforward, otherwise we’d have done that a long time ago. I don’t think we’re in a position to do that currently.
“I don’t want to go into too much detail because I don’t think that’s right. I think I’ve said enough.”
The club’s failure to land many potential signings, most notably Benjamin Sesko who is set to join Manchester United, has prompted suggestions that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which owns an 85% stake, is not as engaged as it once was.
However, Howe, who admitted the Isak situation has unsettled a previously united squad, was unequivocal in his denial.
He said: “The owners are very much engaged, as much as they always have been.
“This has been a challenging period where there’ll be a lot of different opinions on different subjects, but I can assure everybody connected with Newcastle that the owners are very much behind the project and fighting every day for the club.”
https://www.101greatgoals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/isak.jpg
2025-08-09 09:38:37
