Howe unhappy with ‘far from ideal’ Isak situation with the striker training alone at former club Real Sociedad.
“Complex” and “far from ideal” is how Eddie Howe, the manager of Newcastle United, describes the striker Alexander Isak’s transfer predicament.
Liverpool’s £110 million offer for Isak was rejected by Newcastle on Friday; the Magpies believe he is worth over £150 million.
The 25-year-old’s “minor” thigh injury prevented him from playing in Newcastle’s preseason tour of Asia, according to the club.
Howe claimed to have learnt of the Swede’s training alone at his former team, Real Sociedad, through the media.
“I think from my situation, I am very much removed from everything that is happening back home,” Howe told a news conference, external on Saturday.
“I was made aware there was a bid yesterday. That bid was turned down before I heard about it. There are people back in England dealing with the situation.
“I really don’t know what is going to happen next but, from our perspective, we still support Alex in every way and my wish is still that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again.”
In 2022, Isak left La Liga team Sociedad to join Newcastle for £60 million.
Last season, he led the Magpies in scoring as they won the Carabao Cup, ending their seventy-year domestic trophy drought.
“I know where he is through the media, so I think from that perspective it’s difficult for me to go into any detail,” Howe said, adding that he does not have direct contact with the forward.
“The situation is far from ideal. It is quite complex. I think that is all I have got to say.”