Eddie Howe has many problems to address at Newcastle United during the pre-season, and whether he likes it or not, all the media can talk about is the speculation surrounding Alexander Isak’s future and how he will solve that particular issue.
Even after a spirited performance from his side against Arsenal in Singapore on Sunday, more questions are being asked about the one man absent from the squad than those in it.
Speaking to the media after the game, Howe issued a new update on Alexander Isak’s immediate future at the club, as well as the current state of transfer activity taking place on Tyneside.
“No chance” Isak joins squad in Asia
As the club has finished its participation in the Singapore Festival of Football, the next stop on the tour of Asia is Seoul, South Korea.
But the manager has now confirmed that Isak won’t reunite with the squad for this part of the pre-season campaign.
Simply commenting “No, no chance.” when asked about the possibility of the Swede
Today’s performance against a near full strength Arsenal defence showed we’re still very much capable of posing an attacking threat and scoring against a big team.
But to not have Isak involved in at least three of our five major pre-season games will no doubt mean he’s rusty come the start of the season in August.
And for Howe, very much a realist but often an optimist, to so bluntly state that Isak won’t be joining the team in South Korea could be a sign into how frosty the relationship has turned between the manager and his star player in a matter of days.
Howe on transfers – Need for signings stressed again
Howe has again talked up the need to overcome issues in the transfer market and add to a squad that’s seen just ONE major signing arrive all summer.
“Of course (we need signings), we’re not deluded. We know that we need to bring players in, we’ve known that for a long time.”
“At the tail end of last season, we did all the work we wanted. It’s been a challenging transfer window, let’s see what we can do.”
Anthony Elanga, who opened the scoring at the Singapore National Stadium, remains the only senior signing made so far.
There’s been no update since yesterday on the current status of our moves for Benjamin Sesko and Yoane Wissa, though we recently enquired with RB Leipzig for the big Slovenian, whilst Wissa is locked in a struggle with the Brentford hierarchy as they remain committed to not selling their star man.
I would be making it clear to Isak and any ‘interested’ club that there is a deadline to this nonsense though.
I’d be expecting him to be involved in the Espanyol & Athletico Madrid games because ultimately as much as he may want to leave, he still has 3 years on his current contract abd we want him ready to be playing for us next season if nobody comes forward with the right money.
We’ve given him time to ‘explore’ his options but we can’t fall too far behind coz our season starts fast with Villa.
Sharpy17(Quote)
See Joelinton has lost none of his finesse since his injury absence even in a friendly.
Joseph(Quote)
if isak wants to go and we wont sell he probably will not play at all well and being off the boil for months not looking good at all. get rid and sign players who really want to play for us not just the money where would he be if we hadnt plucked him from obscurity? howe did a great job with him he was only as good as players around him like unsung hero jacob murphy
jennifer nicholls(Quote)
Who is it at the club holding back on transfers? Who is the YES or NO man when it comes to buying players? I have heard it said that it’s a conspiracy by the top clubs because of the PIF connection, but if THE MAN says BUY the money is down full stop! Be a YES MAN and let’s get moving. At the moment Howe is like a boxer in the ring with ONE hand tied behind his back!!
Peter Beaumont(Quote)
Yes that is right if he is just In for the money let him. Go but at the right price so how is right
David golightly(Quote)