Howe Speaks on Alexander Isak’s Uncertain Return Amid Liverpool Bid
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has admitted he has no clear update on Alexander Isak rejoining first-team training. He confirmed the club rejected a £110 million offer from Liverpool, and expressed uncertainty over what will happen next.
Background: Isak’s Absence and Liverpool’s Interest
Isak missed Newcastle’s pre-season tour in Asia due to a thigh injury and trained individually in Spain at Real Sociedad’s facilities. Meanwhile, Liverpool made a formal £110m bid, which was swiftly rejected. Newcastle value him closer to £150m and currently have no intention to negotiate further unless they secure a replacement.
Howe’s Comments on the Situation
Speaking from the pre-season tour base, Howe said he was “very much removed” from Isak’s transfer saga. “I was told the bid was rejected before I even knew. People back in England are handling it. I don’t know what happens next. But from our side, we support Alex and hope to see him in a Newcastle shirt again.” He described the situation as “far from ideal” and “quite complex.”
Newcastle’s Transfer Alternatives
Newcastle have already made a club-record £70m bid for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko and are monitoring others such as Yoane Wissa to strengthen their front line before the Premier League season opener on August 16.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Alexander Isak (25, Sweden) |
| Status | Absent from Asian tour, training alone in Spain |
| Liverpool Bid | £110m (rejected) |
| Newcastle Valuation | Approximately £150m |
| Howe’s Involvement | Detached from negotiations |
| Club Strategy | Targeting Sesko & Wissa as replacements |
Futlix Opinion
This is a delicate situation balancing ambition and loyalty. Isak wants to leave, but Newcastle rightly demand value and quality in return. Howe’s distance from the negotiations exposes gaps in internal structure. Securing a striker like Sesko might be the signal Newcastle need to show willingness to negotiate. Until then, this saga remains unresolved—a litmus test for the club’s recruitment and leadership strategy.
Sources
- Sky Sports, The Times, ESPN, The Guardian reports on Liverpool’s bid rejection and Howe’s statements.
- TalkSport and other sources detailing Newcastle’s interest in Sesko and Wissa.