Eddie Howe has admitted the end of the Alexander Isak transfer saga is close, confirming the striker will miss Newcastle United’s clash with Liverpool on Monday night.
The Sweden international has made it clear he wants to leave and is currently training away from the first-team squad.
Isak hit the headlines earlier this week after releasing a statement on Instagram – shortly after being named in the PFA Team of the Year – in which he declared his Newcastle career was over, citing broken promises behind the scenes.
Newcastle responded later that evening with a statement expressing disappointment at his actions but insisted he was still likely to remain at St. James’ Park.
Liverpool, who saw a £110m bid rejected earlier this month, are understood to be monitoring the situation closely and could return with a fresh offer if given encouragement that a deal is possible.
With the Reds set to visit St. James’ Park on Monday, Howe has now confirmed that Isak will once again be absent from the squad, while offering a fresh update on the striker’s uncertain future.
“The club has to act in the best interests of Newcastle United. It will do that in every situation,” Howe said at his pre-match press conference.
“I think it is a lose/lose situation to a degree for us because I don’t think we can come out of this winning in any situation.
“And that’s why I’ve said all summer it’s a difficult situation for the club to manage.
“We love Alex in the sense of what he’s done for the football club since he’s been here, what he’s contributed, what he’s given, how professional he’s been.
“This has just been an unfortunate few months. It looks like it is coming to an end, or it will come to an end pretty quickly and then we can focus on the football again.
“There has been no change. No, he won’t be part of the squad for this weekend’s game. My preference for these things is it doesn’t happen publicly because I think everything is better dealt with behind closed doors.
“But needs must and this situation the club has spoken, and probably justifiably so in that moment.”
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