Alexander Isak situation is ‘far from ideal' amid Liverpool interest – Newcastle boss Eddie Howe
Isak has made it clear that he wants to leave Newcastle this summer and was left out of the squad for their pre-season tour to Singapore and South Korea. The striker has been training individually at his former club Real Sociedad.
Advertisement
On Friday afternoon, The Athletic reported that Liverpool had made an offer worth £110million plus add-ons for the Sweden international, but Newcastle rejected the offer. Liverpool are not inclined to bid again after the swift rebuttal to their first offer but remain interested in the 25-year-old striker.
At a press conference in Seoul ahead of Newcastle's pre-season friendly against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Howe was asked multiple questions about Isak's future.
'I think from my situation, I am very much removed from everything that is happening back home,' he said. '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.
Howe was then asked if he knew of Isak's whereabouts and if he had permission to be there. Newcastle signed Isak from Real Sociedad in 2022, and he still has three years remaining on his contract.
'I know where he is through the media, so I think from that perspective it's difficult for me to go into any detail,' the 47-year-old said. 'The situation is far from ideal. It is quite complex. I think that is all I have got to say.'
There was some positive news for Newcastle supporters; midfielder Joe Willock has not suffered a long-term injury.
'We initially feared he could have injured part of his Achilles, but thankfully that wasn't the case,' Howe said. 'It looks like he has a problem with a muscle in his calf. We feel that the injury is not as serious as first feared, so it's great news, but it's still going to keep him out for a number of weeks. How many we are not sure. Early diagnosis is looking like four to six weeks. So, although being a blow, it's probably better than the initial thought.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Eddie Howe hopes Alexander Isak will return to training with Newcastle
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is hoping to see striker Alexander Isak back in training in the coming days. Isak, who has been the subject of interest from Liverpool, has missed the Magpies' pre-season tour of Asia amid speculation over his future. Newcastle are now returning home after their trip concluded with a 1-1 draw against Tottenham in Seoul on Sunday and Howe hopes the Sweden international will report back as normal. Howe told The Chronicle after the game: 'Of course I'd like him to but whether or not he will, I don't know at this moment in time. 'Other people have been dealing with that situation back at home.' Sweden international Isak did not travel with the squad due to a thigh injury but the player reportedly wants to explore the possibility of a move. Newcastle rejected an offer of £110million from Liverpool for the 25-year-old, who has three years remaining on his contract and is valued by the club at £150million. Isak has trained with former club Real Sociedad while Newcastle have been away but is now thought to be returning to the UK. Newcastle, meanwhile, are understood to have had a bid worth up to £69.7million for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko rejected by the German club. Slovenia international Sesko has also been linked with Manchester United.
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tottenham fear for James Maddison as injury overshadows Son Heung-min farewell
James Maddison suffered a serious-looking knee injury as Tottenham's pre-season tour of Asia concluded with a draw against Newcastle in Seoul on Sunday. The England international was carried off on a stretcher and looked in obvious pain after after going down unchallenged late in the game. The friendly, which ended 1-1, was otherwise notable for the emotional reception the departing Son Heung-min received from fans in his home city. Maddison, 28, missed the closing stages of last season, including the Europa League final, with a knee problem and his latest injury affects the same joint. Manager Thomas Frank told reporters after the game: 'I think sometimes in life and football things can be both beautiful and brutal – that's what we got today. 'It looks like with Madders a bad injury, and then on the other side unbelievable scenes for Son from his team-mates and the respect from the Newcastle players.' Son, 33, confirmed this week that he is to leave Spurs this summer after a decade at the club. The South Korea international, who wore the captain's armband, was given a standing ovation and a guard of honour from players of both teams when he was substituted in the 64th minute. Brennan Johnson's deflected strike gave Spurs a fourth-minute lead but Harvey Barnes levelled before half-time.
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Marlie Packer cleared for opening match of England's World Cup campaign
England flanker Marlie Packer will be available to feature in the opening match of the World Cup after being handed a one-match ban for her red card in Saturday's win over Spain. The 35-year-old was sent off in the second half of the Red Roses' 97-7 warm-up victory in Leicester following a clumsy clearout on the left leg of Spain full-back Claudia Pena. Packer's suspension rules her out of her country's final warm-up match, away to France on Saturday. Hosts England begin the World Cup on Friday, August 22 against the United States in Sunderland. In determining the sanction, World Rugby's foul play review committee noted Packer accepted foul play occurred but she did not agree the offence warranted a red card. Her challenge, which did not result in injury to Harlequins player Pena, was deemed to be 'reckless'. The committee decided the offence warranted a two-match ban but opted to award full 50 per cent mitigation. England's 15-try success at Welford Road was Packer's first match as captain since being replaced in the full-time role by Zoe Aldcroft in January. The Saracens forward, who has 111 Test caps, led the Red Roses to back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams in 2023 and 2024 and is one of head coach John Mitchell's vice-captains.
