Eddie Howe hints at Alexander Isak exit with pointed remark to leave Liverpool on red alert
Eddie Howe claims he's in the dark over Newcastle telling star striker Alexander Isak he must STAY at the club. The Swedish forward is at the heart of a major row involving his future amid interest from Liverpool.
The Reds have already had a bid of over £100m turned down by the Premier League rivals. That has led to Isak submitting a request to leave the club before the end of the window, while he has yet to be reunited with his teammates.
Newcastle have reportedly taken a hard-line stance over Isak's future. Reports earlier this week claimed that they told the 25-year-old that he won't be going anywhere this summer, a decision that has left him 'fuming'.
In the meantime they have also told him that he will not play for the club until he understands his future lies in the North East. Asked about those claims, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe claimed that the non-sale stance was not led by him.
Speaking after his side's pre-season friendly clash with Atletico Madrid, Howe said: "No, that's not something I'm aware of. I'm not party to all discussions, but I have no knowledge of that."
Howe's latest comments come shortly after his previous update, where he claimed that he could not involve Isak while the transfer furore was ongoing. He said: "We've had discussions and it's clear at the moment we can't have him involved with the group. I don't know how long that will be for. It's clear I can't involve him with the team at the moment.
'He is training later than the rest of the squad. There have been discussions since the tour. I don't think disciplinary action has happened.
"He is here, so of course he has a future at Newcastle. From our perspective, we would love to have him back with the team, but the situation has to be right for that to happen."
Newcastle begin their latest Premier League campaign against Aston Villa next weekend, a game that Isak looks set to miss - a fact that is not lost on Howe.
Asked if the striker could potentially play, Howe replied: "I want Alex to be playing today. I want him training tomorrow. We would love the player to be with us, let me make that absolutely clear.
"There is no part of me that does not want that outcome. But I don't see the current situation changing before Aston Villa."
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