Newcastle boss Eddie Howe spoke of his sadness following Alexander Isak’s bombshell statement earlier this week.
Isak took to social media on Tuesday to address his stance on the ongoing transfer saga over a possible switch to Liverpool.
5
The Swede broke his silence after going on strike due to Newcastle’s reluctance to accept a bid from the Premier League champions.
In his post, Isak claimed that the trust had been lost and that a change was best for all parties.
However, Newcastle instantly responded with a statement of their own claiming they had tried to accommodate his wishes but to no avail.
The club also left the door open for Isak to be reintegrated back into the squad.
Read more on Newcastle
What is Eddie Howe’s take on the Isak fallout?
As was the case for last weekend’s opener at Aston Villa, Howe confirmed that Isak will not be available for selection for Monday night’s clash with Liverpool at St James’ Park.
But the Magpies’ boss has revealed that he hopes the 25-year-old will return to the first-team squad in due course.
“It was a sad moment,” Howe told reporters on Friday when asked about Isak’s statement.
“My preference is these things do not happen publicly. They are better dealt with behind closed doors. But needs must. The club has spoken, and justifiably so in that moment.
“He’s contracted to us, he’s our player.
“My wish is that he would be playing on Monday. He won’t be and that’s regrettable. But 100 per cent I want him back in a Newcastle shirt.
5
5
“Of course, we want him training and playing with the team, that is our wish. But he’s not, so it’s not the desirable outcome for us at the moment until he is back playing.
“That’s a sad situation for us. When I speak to him we are trying to find a positive solution all the time.
“I haven’t seen him for five or six days but when I saw him he was good, he was normal Alex.”
Isak’s gripes stem from a discussion he had with former sporting director Paul Mitchell who had allegedly informed the players camp that he would not be receiving a new contract.
It comes after former owner Amanda Staveley had previously met with the players and his representatives over the terms of a bumper new deal.
The perceived U-turn was the turning point for Isak and subsequently led to his decision of wanting to leave the club.
5
Newcastle had slapped a £150m price tage on their talismanic striker, a value Liverpool have yet to reach.
The Magpies have been on the lookout for a new striker in the event that Isak does depart this summer but their efforts to land Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike were thwarted by Manchester United and Liverpool respectively.
Newcastle are still in the mix for Yoane Wissa despite Brentford playing hardball but not even the signing of Wissa alone would sanction Isak’s exit with Howe requiring at least two strikers before offloading the striker.
At present it appears unlikely that Isak will be allowed to leave this summer and the player has been made aware of the club’s stance.
What did Isak say?
As a result, his statement on Tuesday appeared to be a last-ditch attempt to force the club into a sale.
The statement read: “I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken,’ he wrote on his Instagram account.
“That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn’t reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.
5
“The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.
“When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue. That’s where things are for me right now and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.”
Newcastle quickly responded to Isak, writing: “We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening. We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.
“We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views.
Read More on talkSPORT
“As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired. We do not foresee those conditions being met.
“This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates.”
