Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has conceded that the club “cannot win” in the ongoing transfer saga surrounding Alexander Isak’s future, Afrosport reports.
Earlier in the summer, the Swede informed the club of his desire to explore a move away from St James’ Park amid growing interest from Premier League champions Liverpool. The Reds subsequently had a £110 million bid rejected by the Magpies, who value the striker at a reported British record fee of £150m.
Isak took to social media on Tuesday with strong words for Newcastle, accusing the club of “broken promises” and insisting his relationship with the Tyneside outfit “cannot continue”. However, the Magpies swiftly released a statement dismissing his claims and denying any agreement that would allow the 25-year-old to leave this summer.
The transfer drama is set against the backdrop of the two clubs meeting in the Premier League on Monday. Howe confirmed that the striker will not feature as he continues to train separately from the first-team squad.
“I think it is a lose-lose situation to a degree for us because I don’t think we can come out of this winning in any situation” the Newcastle boss said at his pre-match press conference. “That is why I have said all summer, it is a difficult situation for the club to manage.
“We love Alex for what he has done for this football club since he arrived: what he has contributed, what he has given, how professional he has been. This has just been an unfortunate few months that looks like it is coming to an end.
“And it will come to an end pretty quickly and then we can focus on the football again.”
Isak scored 27 goals for Newcastle last season, netting 23 times in the Premier League as the Magpies finished fifth and qualified for the Champions League. He also scored in their League Cup final at Wembley in March, helping them end a 56-year trophy drought.
With the summer transfer window set to close on 1 September, all indications point towards Isak’s departure, though reports suggest it remains contingent on Newcastle securing a replacement.
However, Howe has indicated that the Sweden international could be reintegrated into the squad for the remainder of the season should a move fail to materialise.
“Alex is a fantastic player, he’s a good person, a good character and a good lad,” Howe added.
“If Alex wanted to come back and play for us the players would welcome him.”
The Magpies have already missed out on top summer targets Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko, but have been linked with moves for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa and Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
