Eddie Howe update on Alexander Isak - Contract, exit fears and final decision

One week ago, when Alexander Isak was absent for Newcastle United’s trip to Celtic, few fans could have imagined what would unfold over the next week.

What started as a minor fitness concern being used to justify his absence has now snowballed into the club facing the very real prospect of their top star leaving for Liverpool after wage issues and being checked out for months.

The likes of Eddie Howe and club captain Bruno Guimaraes have done well to keep the situation professional and becoming a circus, to avoid derailing our pre-season campaign before it really even begins.

But now, for the first time since the striker was announced to be seeking a move elsewhere, Howe has addressed the ongoing situation surrounding Isak.

“No contract talks” between Isak and club

Speaking to the media ahead of our friendly against Arsenal in Singapore, Howe stated that neither the club nor the player were engaged in any contract talks at the moment.

It had been reported earlier in the week that a major grievance of Isak’s was that the club clearly valued him as a world-class player, but refused to pay him as such.

“There are no contract talks taking place. That will be for a later date potentially.”

“I've welcomed players back to the group, and I’ve sold players - it's all part of being a football manager. Every situation we will take on an individual basis. 

“But there’s a wider picture here. Theres a whole football club that has to make a decision. The manager has an opinion but ultimately the decision rests with the board. Especially with the money involved in modern day transfers.

”The manager has an opinion, but ultimately the decision will rest with the board"

“I see this challenge as part of the job. I’ve had a good grounding at Bournemouth in my early career when any player who did well was gone!

“The club will make the right decision with all the information that it has, ultimately to move the club forward. We’re trying to improve the standard as best we can, regardless of Alex’s situation. The team never stands still and that’s always the way it’s been.”

With Liverpool circling Isak, having already spent big money on fees and wages for the likes of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike this summer, the striker will likely be very aware that a move to the Reds could gift him the big money contract he and his entourage believe he deserves.

Howe offers hope on whole situation

Despite the seemingly-bleak situation, Howe expressed his hope that the club and Isak can come to some sort of agreement, and for the striker to stay ahead of our biggest season yet post-takeover.

“Of course there are things going on behind the scenes.

“Conversations that happen between Alex & myself and Alex & the club will stay private. Whatever happens has to be for the best of the club.”

 “I certainly hope he stays. It's football, who knows what the future may bring.”

We were always going to be looking for a backup option to Isak this window after Callum Wilson’s departure, but if we manage to sign both of Benjamin Sesko and Yoane Wissa, it would be the biggest indicator yet that we’ve made up our mind and would be willing to listen to offers for Isak.

Overall, though, it’s a damning indictment on the club’s higher-ups, including former Sporting Director Paul Mitchell, that such a situation has even been allowed to come to fruition regarding his pay.

Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan had instructed the club to keep Isak by any means necessary earlier in the year, but it does feel that his words have fallen on deaf ears for the sake of saving money and expecting Isak to be happy with his current contract.