Isak transfer situation ‘far from ideal’ – Howe

Eddie Howe, manager of Newcastle United, calls the transfer situation involving Alexander Isak “complex” and “far from ideal.”

Isak was offered by Newcastle for around £150 million on Friday after Liverpool had already bid for him for a £110 million player.

The 25-year-old was excluded from Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia because of what the club called a “minor” thigh issue.

Howe claimed he learned about the news through the media that the Swede has since been training alone at his former club Real Sociedad.

“I was informed that yesterday there was a bid.” Before I learned about it, that offer was declined. Back home in England, there are those who are addressing the situation.

We still support Alex in every way, and my wish is still for us to see him wearing a Newcastle shirt once more, Alex said. “I really don’t know what will happen next.

In 2022, Isak left Sociedad for La Liga for a £60 million move to Newcastle.

He led the Magpies in scoring last season as they won the Carabao Cup and put an end to their 70-year search for domestic silverware.

Howe continued, “I know where he is through the media, so I think it’s difficult for me to go into any detail,” adding that he is not in direct contact with the forward.

“The situation is not ideal,” he said. It is a lot of work. That is all I have to say, in my opinion.

Eddie Howe, Newcastle manager, announced on July 19 that Isak will “absolutely” be on the team’s pre-season tour of the far east after the Swede missed a 4-0 friendly defeat by Celtic with a thigh injury.

Hugo Ekitike has signed for Liverpool for $69 million from Eintracht Frankfurt as of July 2025.

Isak is ruled out of Newcastle’s squad for their pre-season tour due to a “minor thigh injury” on July 24, 2025.

Isak expresses a desire to relocate to a different city on July 24, 2025.

28 July 2025 – Sources tell BBC Sport that despite the arrival of Ekitike, Liverpool are still interested in signing Isak.

Howe claims Newcastle have not yet received any offers for Isak as of July 29.

Isak trains alone at the former Real Sociedad on July 31, 2025.

Newcastle rejected Liverpool’s initial offer for the Sweden international on August 1, 2025, and the Reds may not continue to pursue their interest.