Eddie Howe has conceded that the transfer saga surrounding Alexander Isak took its toll on his Newcastle United players.
The 25-year-old striker joined Liverpool on deadline day for a British record transfer fee, signing a six-year deal with the Reds.
His switch to Anfield brought an end to a drawn-out saga that lasted 55 days.
During that time, the Sweden international effectively went on strike and released a damning statement declaring his relationship with Newcastle was over.
In his message on social media, posted on Tuesday, August 19, Isak claimed that promises had been “broken” by the club and accused Newcastle of portraying “a version of events that did not reflect reality.”
Now that Isak has secured his move to Liverpool, Howe is eager to draw a line under the episode and focus on turning Newcastle’s fortunes around. The Magpies are still searching for their first Premier League win of the season.
“There is a huge frustration, as we know we are judged against everything we deliver,” he told the Chronicle.
“And that is why the players have handled it all really well, it would have been very easy for them to feel differently about the situation.
“They have taken ownership of their own performances, they have viewed it absolutely brilliantly.”
On the Isak saga, Howe admitted: “I don’t think every squad would have been able to blank it out and carry on and make the team grow from the experience.
“That is always the challenge we have to be better for what happened and not succumb to it, that is the challenge ahead now.”
Alexander Isak joined Newcastle United in a £60million move from Real Sociedad in 2022 and went on to score 27 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions last season.
With the Sweden international now departed, the Magpies have reinforced their attack over the summer by bringing in Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.
However, manager Eddie Howe has cautioned that Woltemade – Newcastle’s new record signing following his £69 million switch from Stuttgart – will need time to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.
He said: “There will be a period of adjustment so we all have to be very understanding of that.
“It is difficult for players to just to come in. He has not had a pre-season with us, and I love every player to experience that because your learning is a lot quicker.
“But I think he has qualities that translate across anyway, he is very good technically. He is very good around the box, he scores goals and I think that will translate.”
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