Eddie Howe has admitted his sadness at Alexander Isak’s explosive statement as the Newcastle forward pushes to secure a move to Liverpool.
Isak broke his silence on his strike and ongoing transfer saga on Tuesday night, with the 25-year-old claiming that trust has been lost and that a change was best for all parties.
Newcastle hit back at the forward, insisting they had listened to and tried to facilitate his wishes, before adding that they now expect to welcome him back into the squad.
Howe confirmed Isak will not be available to face Liverpool on Monday, but has expressed his desire to see the forward return to Newcastle’s first team.
‘It was a sad moment,’ Howe said, reflecting on Isak’s statement.
‘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.
Eddie Howe has admitted his sadness at Alexander Isak’s explosive statement this week
Isak released a statement on Tuesday claiming trust had been lost and that change was in the best interests of everyone
‘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.
‘Of course, we want him training and playing with he team, that is our wish. But he’s not, so it’s not the desirable outcome for us at the moment until he is back playing.
‘That’s a sad situation for us. When I speak to him we are trying to find a positive solution all the time.
‘I haven’t seen him for five or six days but when I saw him he was good, he was normal Alex.’
Daily Mail Sport revealed last month that Isak and his camp were furious last summer when new sporting director Paul Mitchell told them he would not be getting a new contract. Previous co-owner Amanda Staveley had discussed improved terms with them in the spring, believing he was worth and due a pay rise.
That led to a feeling of resentment and Isak’s mind was made up that he wanted to move on, informing the club at the end of last season of his intention to leave.
However, Newcastle have tried and, so far, failed to find a replacement. Sources close to the situation believe this triggered the release of Isak’s statement this week where he claimed there was no way back.
Howe said Newcastle were justified in responding to Isak but his preference was that it did not play out publicly
Howe said he had not seen the wantaway Newcastle forward for the last five or six days
‘I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken,’ he wrote on his Instagram account.
‘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.’
Newcastle then hit back with a statement of their own, insisting they had listened to and tried to facilitate his wishes, before adding that they now expect to welcome him back into the squad.
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‘We are disappointed to have been alerted to a social media post by Alexander Isak this evening,’ the club said. ‘We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract and that no commitment has ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer.
‘We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views. As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired. We do not foresee those conditions being met.
‘This is a proud football club with proud traditions and we strive to retain our family feel. Alex remains part of our family and will be welcomed back when he is ready to rejoin his teammates.’