Eddie Howe admits that Newcastle United’s board “have a decision to make” when it comes to Alexander Isak’s future, but insists that whatever the outcome it must be in the best interests of the club.
The striker has told Newcastle that he wants to explore a potential exit this summer, following Liverpool communicating their interest. No formal offer has been received for Isak, who is absent from Newcastle’s East Asia tour. The club insisted Isak was left behind because of a minor thigh problem but The Athletic reported on Thursday sources, speaking anonymously as they were not authorised to do so publicly, indicated the forward favoured being omitted amid his uncertain future.
The message that has been reiterated from the very top of the club is that Isak is not for sale this summer. However, Howe accepts that in the “wider picture”, Newcastle may be forced to make a seismic call on the striker should they actually receive a British-record offer, and he insists that, ultimately, that will be the board’s decision, not that of the head coach.
“I’ve experienced that many times and it’s never the same situation,” Howe said in Singapore, when asked about what happens when a player communicates their desire to leave, rather than specifically about Isak. “There’s loads of different things that can happen in that scenario.
“I’ve welcomed players back to the group, obviously sold players all throughout my management career, because that’s part of being a football manager. Every situation we take on an individual basis.
“But there’s a wider picture here. There’s a whole football club that has to make the decision. The ownership, together with the board of directors, especially with the money involved in modern day transfers. The manager of course has an opinion, but ultimately the decision will rest with the board.
“There’s always big decisions to make when you’re at Newcastle. I think that goes with the territory.
“I’m not actually having daily contact with anyone connected with the board. We’re out here. It’s been a whirlwind here in a sense of training and the intensity of what we’re doing.”
Pushed as to whether it is important that Newcastle make a decision on Isak’s future swiftly, Howe denied that was the case. He did stress the need to replace any outgoing player, though, with Benjamin Sesko among Newcastle’s potential targets if they do sell Isak.
“I wouldn’t put a timescale on it,“ Howe said. ”With these situations, it has to be right for the football club, and obviously everything then is taken into context below that.
“But the club will make the right decision with all the information that it has, and ultimately to try and move the club forward in whatever way that is. Then it’s up to us then to make good decisions the other way and try and improve the squad as best we can.
“That’s what we’re trying to do, regardless of Alex’s situation. Of course, we want stability and we want the group to have a really good feeling. And I have to say, the feeling during pre-season has been as good as any other.
“So I don’t think we’re distracted. We’re here, we’re focused and we’re working hard.”
Isak joined Newcastle in 2022 (Harriet Massey/Getty Images)
Once more, Howe said that he was confident Isak would stay, but stopped short of a firm commitment.
“I think you’re trying to put words in my mouth there” Howe said, when asked if he “expected” Isak to stay. “I said after Celtic, I certainly hope he stays. And I said I was confident that he’d stay.
“I don’t see anything that’s going to change that opinion of mine at the moment, but it’s football and who knows what the future may bring.”
Howe described this window as “challenging” for Newcastle but revealed that the club are working on deals for “multiple players across multiple positions”, even if nothing is imminent. “Quality over quantity” is what he desires, which is narrowing the pool of potential recruits.
Newcastle’s window from now will largely be dictated by the Isak situation, though, and Howe did not deny that the striker had communicated that he wants to leave. But he would not be drawn on the specifics of any conversations.
“Of course there’s things going on behind the scenes,“ Howe said. ”I mean he will be aware he’s in the news every day, and I’m sure that’s not easy for anyone in that situation.
“Conversations that happen between Alex and the club or Alex and myself will stay private for obvious reasons. We do share a really good relationship with him. He’s been magnificent for us for as long as he’s joined. He’s very popular in the dressing room.
“We’d love him to continue his journey at Newcastle, and all I would say on the broader picture is whatever happens has to be right for Newcastle.
“We’re in a very strong position financially. We’re determined to be successful. We are ambitious. We’ve got a great season ahead of us. We need to add to the squad and continue to improve, and the journey can continue in an upward trajectory.
“That’s what we all want, so that’s what we’re battling to try and achieve.”
Howe confirmed that contract talks are not currently active with Isak, suggesting they would take place after the window closes, should the striker stay. His existing Newcastle deal runs until 2028.
“As far as I’m aware, I don’t think there are any contract talks taking place at the moment. That’ll be for a later date potentially,“ Howe said.
“For now, with the situation as it is and the state of the window in the sense that it’s hurtling towards the end very quickly from our perspective, there’s still so much that could happen. Those contract talks potentially may take place at a later date.”
Isak’s thigh problem first flared up before the Celtic match and then Howe revealed that the striker was forced out of training on Monday.
“He’s now in Newcastle getting that injury assessed and hopefully he’ll be back soon and playing in the black-and-white shirt,” Howe said. “That’s what we all want to see.”
(Top photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images)