Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has admitted the ongoing standoff with Alexander Isak is “far from ideal” as the Magpies prepare to begin their Premier League campaign without their leading scorer.
Liverpool’s £110m Bid Rejected The 25-year-old Sweden international, who has scored 62 goals in all competitions since joining for a club-record fee in 2022, is pushing for an exit this summer. Reports suggest Liverpool had a £110m offer turned down, following a 23-goal Premier League season that helped Newcastle secure fifth place and Champions League football.
Isak Training Away from Squad Isak has been training separately from the team and is unlikely to feature in Saturday’s opener at Aston Villa. “It’s not been ideal, I don’t think it’s been healthy for us,” Howe told the BBC. “For me, Alex is one of the best strikers in the world. Missing him leaves a huge gap.”
Morale Hit During Pre-Season The situation reportedly impacted morale during pre-season, with Isak training at former club Real Sociedad while Newcastle toured Asia. “When you’ve got a player that good not part of your group, it’s difficult for the players to fully understand,” Howe admitted.
Howe Focused on Moving Forward Despite the disruption, Howe insists the squad has adapted. “As time’s gone on, there’s been an acceptance. We’ve got to make the best of the situation. The atmosphere in the group has been very good.”
