Eddie Howe has admitted he’s unsure what will happen next after Newcastle rejected Liverpool’s £110 million bid for Alexander Isak on Friday.
The striker has told Newcastle he wants to leave this summer, with a move to Liverpool his preferred destination. The bid came after Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, inquired about Isak’s availability two weeks ago. Newcastle value the Swedish international at £150 million.
Speaking at a press conference in Seoul ahead of Newcastle’s friendly against Tottenham, Howe said: “I’m quite removed from everything happening back home. I only heard about the bid yesterday, but it had already been turned down by then. There are people in England handling the situation, but I don’t know what will happen next. From our side, we still fully support Alex, and I hope to see him in a Newcastle shirt again.”
Isak hasn’t joined Newcastle’s pre-season tour in Asia, with the club citing a minor thigh injury. However, the 25-year-old has been training with his former club, Real Sociedad, in Spain this week.
“I know where he is from media reports, so it’s hard for me to comment in detail,” Howe added. “The situation isn’t ideal—it’s complicated. That’s all I can really say.”
Isak, who has scored over 20 Premier League goals in each of the last two seasons, still has three years left on his Newcastle contract. Talks over a new deal have stalled.
Newcastle have yet to sign a replacement striker this summer. Reports suggest they’ve made a £65.5 million bid (plus £4.3 million in add-ons) for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško, matching the German club’s valuation. However, Manchester United are also interested in the Slovenian forward. Newcastle’s earlier offer for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa was rejected last month.
Howe’s side have struggled in pre-season, losing to Celtic (4-0), Arsenal (3-2), and the K-League All Stars (1-0). Young striker Will Osula, who scored twice last season, has started all three games in Isak’s absence.
After facing Tottenham in Seoul, Newcastle will play Espanyol and Atlético Madrid at home before beginning their Premier League campaign at Aston Villa on August 16.
