Newcastle United's manager Eddie Howe has confirmed that striker Wantaway Alexander Isak will return to absent when his suitors Liverpool visit St James' Park on Monday, and has expressed his dismay for the transfer saga that develops “publicly”.
Isak has not reinstated Newcastle's side this summer in the midst of Liverpool's interest, who the sources said ESPN had rejected an offer in early August. The Sweden international issued a statement this week saying that he had lost confidence with Newcastle due to broken promises, which the club responded insisting that the conditions for their departure had not been met.
Newcastle plays Liverpool in his next match at the Premier League.
“There has been no change: it will not be part of the team for this weekend game,” Howe said at his press conference on Friday.
When asked about the round trip public, Howe admitted that he would prefer if everything was treated behind closed doors.
“My preference is that it does not happen publicly,” he said. “Everything is better treated behind closed doors. But the needs must, and in this situation the club has spoken, and probably justifiably at that time.
“I have not seen this week. When I see it, we speak in a normal way. There are no problems. Of course, it is a difficult situation for both parties and is far from being ideal for both parties. He is later training separated from the group, but we surely update me at some point.”
“It has hired us, it is our player. My desire would play on Monday night with us, but it won't be and that is unfortunate. I want to see it 100% again in a Newcastle shirt.”
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Howe has the hope of reintegrating Isak in his squad at some point, which according to him “is not an option” currently, and believes that fans could welcome him.
“The relationship between our fans and Isak can still be good,” he added. “Fans will always react to the way a player plays.”
In one way or another, the matter will be resolved when the transfer window is closed on September 1 and Howe knows that the Uracas will be weaker, at least in the short term, whether they lose or do not keep their star discontent.
The 47 -year -old, who confirmed that he and the striker had discussed his future at the end of last season, said: “I think it is a situation of losing to a certain degree because I don't think we can get out of this gain in any situation.”
“That is why I have said the whole summer, it is a difficult situation for the Club Management.
“We love Alex in the sense of what he has done for this football club since he has been here, what has contributed, what he has given, how professional it has been and this has been unfortunate months that seems to be coming to an end.
“And it will come to an end quite fast and then we can focus on football again.”
PA information was used in this report.
