Howe Sets Isak “Soft Deadline” Amid Liverpool Interest

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has issued a fresh update on Alexander Isak’s future ahead of the new Premier League season, confirming he wants the striker back at St James’ Park despite interest from Liverpool

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has laid down the challenge to Alexander Isak, expressing his desire to see the striker back in action soon.

Isak’s absence from an event in Singapore on Saturday sparked fan outrage, with his No.14 shirt noticeably missing from display. However, Howe called for calm, suggesting that Isak’s injury assessment was being given the benefit of the doubt.

Speaking to Chronicle Live in Singapore, Howe adopted a serious tone regarding Isak’s situation: “He’s now in Newcastle getting that injury assessed and hopefully he’ll be back soon and playing in the black-and-white shirt. That’s what we all want to see.”

If Isak can shake off his minor groin injury and no bid from Liverpool materialises, he may have a couple of friendly matches to regain his fitness.

The August friendlies against Espanyol and Atletico Madrid could be an option, but Howe ruled out Isak joining the team in South Korea for games against a K-League XI and Tottenham Hotspur.

Howe appeared to be setting a soft deadline for Isak, and with the transfer window ticking away, Newcastle will need a decision soon.

The club is eyeing Yoane Wissa from Brentford, but if Isak were to leave, another centre-forward would be required, with Howe confirming that a shortlist has been drawn up on potential targets.

However, acknowledging the difficulties, he stated: “At the tail end of last season, we did all the work we wanted. It’s been a challenging window, let’s see what we can do.”

Howe was happy with Newcastle’s improved performance against Arsenal, remarking: “We certainly needed to step up in performance after the Celtic game and we did, of course there are things to improve upon but overall, it was a difficult game and all credit to the players.”

Liverpool have already splashed £300million this window, and announced the signing of another striker in £79m arrival Hugo Ekitike.

If Isak is to join the Reds, they would likely need to break the British record transfer again just weeks after signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m.

Dailystar.co.uk