Eddie Howe says he can’t be ‘oblivious to things that have happened’, in his biggest hint yet that he is open to the sale of Alexander Isak.
The Swede remains on strike and he told Newcastle’s ownership on Monday, during a secret meeting at his Northumberland home, that he has no intention of playing for the club again, even if he stays beyond deadline day.
Howe has not spoken to Isak since the player’s incendiary statement 10 days ago in which he made accusations of broken promises and a loss of trust. The head coach has denied ever promising to let Isak leave.
Newcastle, though, have been pursuing targets all summer that would allow them to explore the sale of Isak to Liverpool, but only now are they close to signing Germany striker Nick Woltemade in a club-record £65million deal.
We understand the Premier League champions are set to return with a new offer for Isak, and that would leave the club with a decision to make. Newcastle are also still hoping to bring in a second striker.
Howe was asked by Daily Mail Sport on Friday if he has a preference over Isak’s future.
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Eddie Howe has said he is ‘not oblivious’ to everything happening in the Alexander Isak saga
Newcastle are on the verge of completing a £65million deal for striker Nick Woltemade
The move for the Stuttgart forward could unlock Isak’s proposed British record transfer Liverpool
‘Of course I would have a preference, but ultimately you have got to look at all the information,’ he said. ‘So of course I have a footballing preference, but then you have to take everything else into account, you can’t just be oblivious to things that have happened.
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‘So I’m in that position really, where I’m trying to separate myself because I have no control over it. I will let everything take its course and then deal with the eventuality.’
Was Howe taking a pragmatic view with regards the potential sale?
‘I don’t think you can be emotionally involved,’ he said. ‘If you’re emotionally involved you’re going to make a bad decision. I’ve had to separate myself from it, as Alex exited the squad, initially.
‘I took the view that the squad needed me to be the best me and be totally focussed on them. This situation was not going to be resolved quickly and I had no control over bringing any resolution to it. I was in that position when I took the call to move forward with the squad.’