Eddie Howe, the head coach of Newcastle United, has announced that striker Alexander Isak will not play in the upcoming match against Liverpool on Monday. Howe expressed his desire to see Isak back in a black and white jersey soon, despite ongoing speculation about the player’s future.
This week, Isak was seen at Newcastle’s training ground as discussions about his potential transfer continued. The Swedish forward recently broke his silence on the situation, stating that a “change is in the best interest of everyone” via his Instagram account. In response, Newcastle issued a firm statement clarifying that “no commitment has ever been made by a club official” regarding Isak’s departure this summer.
The club emphasized that “Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates.” Howe is determined to reintegrate Isak, who netted an impressive 23 goals in the Premier League last season—more than Erling Haaland.
Ahead of the match at St James’ Park against Liverpool, Howe shared his thoughts: “Isak’s statement was unfortunate. I prefer these matters to be handled privately, but circumstances dictate otherwise. The club has addressed the situation, and rightly so. He’s contracted to us and is our player. I wish he could play on Monday, but unfortunately, he won’t be. I eagerly await his return in a Newcastle shirt.”
Howe also reassured fans that the relationship between Isak and supporters could still be positive. “The fans will respond to how a player performs on the pitch. There are always two sides to every story, and we will see where we stand in a week. I hope to work with him again.”
However, Howe made it clear that Isak must be fully committed if he wants to play for Newcastle again. “Every player who steps onto the pitch must give their all for Newcastle United,” he warned. Despite the club’s appeals, Isak remains intent on moving away.
Reports suggest Isak was promised a new contract—currently earning £140,000 per week—but the recent changes in Newcastle’s management, including the departures of Amanda Staveley and Paul Mitchell, have left such offers unfulfilled. With Liverpool expressing interest, Isak has signaled a desire to leave, and he, along with his agent Vlado Lemic, crafted a strategy to pressure Newcastle into a sale.
The situation is further complicated by Newcastle’s challenges in the transfer market. The club has struggled to secure a replacement for Isak, even as potential targets like Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, and Benjamin Sesko chose other clubs. Given that Newcastle is competing in the Champions League, maintaining a deep squad is crucial, making Isak’s potential departure even more concerning.
With just nine days left in the transfer window, time is running out for Isak to finalize his move, and for Newcastle to find a suitable replacement. Despite the current tensions, Howe remains hopeful that Isak’s relationship with the fans can be repaired in the future. For now, Isak will miss the match against Liverpool, as Howe looks to build momentum after a recent 0-0 draw at Villa Park against the title favorites.
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