Eddie Howe drops bombshell and says Alexander Isak to Liverpool saga will end very soon

Eddie Howe has given an update on the situation of Alexander Isak ahead of Newcastle’s Premier League match against Liverpool on Monday, with the striker still holding out for a transfer

Eddie Howe says the end is in sight over the Alexander Isak saga and has hinted that a transfer to Liverpool could still be on the cards.

Isak has been training by himself after escalating the situation by releasing a statement on Tuesday evening which accused Newcastle of breaking promises. The club then released their own statement, denying his accusations.

The 25-year-old striker was greeted by a group of angry fans as he drove into the training ground on Wednesday and is still holding out for a move before the transfer window closes on September 1.

“He won’t be part of the squad this weekend,” Howe said in a press conference ahead of Newcastle’s match against Liverpool on Monday. “The club has to act in the best interests of Newcastle United. It will do that in every situation It looks like it is coming to an end, or it will come to an end pretty quickly.”

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Speaking about Newcastle’s statement, he said: “It was a sad moment. 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.”

Newcastle are trying to sign two strikers in the remainder of the window, with Brentford’s Yoane Wissa and Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen the main two targets. In their own statement, they suggested that Isak could still be reintegrated into the squad, but hinted that a transfer was still on the cards – if their asking price was met.

“We have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired,” the statement read. “We do not foresee those conditions being met.”

Liverpool saw a bid of £110million rejected by Newcastle at the start of the month and have not returned with another offer since. But, speaking on Thursday, Arne Slot hinted that the Reds could still get a deal done.

“I am happy with the squad but if we think there is a player who can really make us better then this club has always shown they can bring them in,” he said. “But it needs to be everything we want: right transfer fee, right position and the player wants to come to us.”

“I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken,” Isak wrote. “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.

“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.”

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