Three seasons ago, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was expecting big things from Alexander Isak after signing him but the Swedish attacker’s good display has encouraged him into wanting out of St James’ Park. The forward has been candid about his desire of wanting out of Tyneside, and Liverpool are said to be leading the pack.
The current Premier League champions refused an offer of £110million for the 25 year old some weeks ago, and no second bid has so far been made. Nevertheless, Alexander Isak continues to train alone and has apparently pledged never to play at the club again.
Earlier this week, he publicly commented regarding the transfer saga, making biting criticisms of the club’s management regarding “broken promises” in an explosive statement. Newcastle, however, remained firm with their stance that they “do not see” Isak leaving, with Howe remaining hopeful of striking a deal with the forward.
The Magpies manager signed Alexander Isak at St. James’ Park in 2022 in a then club-record deal of £63m, believing that the forward was capable of thriving in England. Then, he said: *“He has pace, technical ability, dribbling ability.
He’s got something of the X-factor about him. Alex is unique and he’s got the potential to score goals. Technically, he’s very, very good and he’s got some of the qualities that I really, really admire about forward players.
For such a young player, he’s had a lot of experiences thrown at him, playing for big clubs in Germany [with Borussia Dortmund], the Netherlands [Willem II] and Spain [Real Sociedad]. He’ll fit the profile of the game that’s played by England. He’s a very good athlete with numerous qualities that are in his favour and he’s yet to have his best seasons.”*
Having netted 62 times in 109 club games, such as coming up with the winning blow in the Carabao Cup final last March against Liverpool while simultaneously pushing the Magpies back into the Champions League, there’s scant debate he’s become a hit at Tyneside.
However, the relationship between Alexander Isak and the club has deteriorated significantly and may now be beyond repair, reports Chronicle Live.
Nevertheless, Howe insisted this week – before next Monday’s game with Liverpool at Newcastle – that a decision regarding the player’s future was imminent.
Speaking at the press conference on Friday, Howe discussed Isak’s status before the transfer deadline by Monday, September 1.
The Newcastle manager said: *“We love Alex, of course, the sense of what he’s done at this football club while he’s been at the club, what he’s given, what he’s contributed, how professional he’s been and this has just been a disappointing couple of months that seems like it’s coming to an end.
Well, it’ll be all over very quickly then and we’ll be able to focus on the football all over again.”*
Howe is preparing his squad for their first home game of the Premier League season, following last Saturday’s goalless stalemate at Aston Villa. The forthcoming clash with Liverpool under the floodlights promises to be a thrilling encounter.
