Eddie Howe still hopes Alexander Isak will stay at Newcastle in first declaration on transfer saga

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has spoken publicly for the first time since Alexander Isak told the club he wants to leave. The Sweden striker has not travelled on the Magpies’ pre-season tour of Singapore, citing a thigh problem, amid widespread speculation over his future. Isak finds himself at the centre of this summer’s biggest transfer saga Premier League champions Liverpool and Saudi club Al Hilal are both interested in Isak, who is contracted to St James’ Park until 2028 with a £150million price tag on his head. talkSPORT understands the Reds are willing to break the British transfer record for the 25-year-old, having already smashed it earlier this summer by signing Florian Wirtz for £116m. Howe was grilled by the media ahead of Newcastle’s friendly against Arsenal on Sunday – and did not give up hope of keeping Isak. “Of course there’s things going on behind the scenes,” the Toon boss said. “He will be aware he’s in the news every day, and I’m sure that’s not easy for anyone in that situation. Conversations that happen between Alex and the club or Alex and myself will stay private for obvious reasons. We do share a really good relationship with him. “He’s been magnificent for us and he’s very popular in the dressing room. We’d love him to continue his journey at Newcastle. I certainly hope he stays. And I said [last weekend] I was confident that he’d stay. I don’t see anything that’s going to change that opinion of mine at the moment, but it’s football and who knows what the future may bring. “All I would say on the broader picture is whatever happens has to be right for Newcastle. We’re in a very strong position financially. We’re determined to be successful. We are ambitious. We’ve got a great season ahead of us. We need to add to the squad and continue to improve, and the journey can continue in an upward trajectory.” What else did Howe say about Isak? talkSPORT understands Isak stopped short of handing in a formal transfer request, although the striker has made it clear he is not willing to consider a new contract. Newcastle are under no obligation to sell, but it is thought the club would be rather negotiate a move away from the Premier League, should their hand be forced. Isak has been excellent for Newcastle since his 2022 move from Real Sociedad – but is now looking to explore his options away from St James’ ParktalkSPORT After the joy of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, the Magpies have experienced a difficult summer transfer window, missing out on numerous targets including Hugo Ekitike and Joao Pedro, who joined Liverpool and Chelsea respectively. Top goalkeeper target James Trafford has also snubbed a move to St James’ Park in favour of Manchester City. talkSPORT understands Newcastle have now opened talks with RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, with Brentford’s £40m-rated forward Yoanne Wissa also on their list. And Howe insists his side can still emerge from the summer window in a strong position. “I wouldn’t put a timescale on it,” he said. “I think with these situations it has to be right for the football club, and everything then is taken into context below that. talkSPORT verdict: Simon Jordan “The club have got to find a resolution to it, because you can’t have a player that doesn’t want to be there. “If he’s going to go, it has to be on Newcastle’s terms, as best as it can be. “And someone’s got to pay the ransom that Newcastle rightly are entitled to because they’re the ones that found him, they’re the ones that put him in and they’re the ones that gave us the vision. “We’ll see how big people’s balls are, and how big their chequebooks are. Write a cheque out and it all has to clear.” “But the club will make the right decision with all the information that it has, and ultimately to try and move the club forward in whatever way that is. Then it’s up to us to make good decisions the other way and try and improve the squad as best we can. That’s what we’re trying to do, regardless of Alex’s situation. “But I think there’s a wider picture here. There’s a whole football club that has to make the decision. The ownership, together with the board of directors, especially with the money involved in modern day transfers. The manager of course has an opinion, but ultimately the decision will rest with the board.” When pressed on whether there are any attempts to agree a new deal with Isak, Howe said: “As far as I’m aware, I don’t think there are any contract talks taking place at the moment. “That’ll be for a later date potentially. I think for now, with the situation as it is and the state of the window, in the sense that it’s hurtling towards the end of the window very quickly, from our perspective, there’s still so much that could happen.”

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Eddie Howe still hopes Alexander Isak will stay at Newcastle in first declaration on transfer saga

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has spoken publicly for the first time since Alexander Isak told the club he wants to leave.

The Sweden striker has not travelled on the Magpies’ pre-season tour of Singapore, citing a thigh problem, amid widespread speculation over his future.

Isak finds himself at the centre of this summer’s biggest transfer saga

Premier League champions Liverpool and Saudi club Al Hilal are both interested in Isak, who is contracted to St James’ Park until 2028 with a £150million price tag on his head.

talkSPORT understands the Reds are willing to break the British transfer record for the 25-year-old, having already smashed it earlier this summer by signing Florian Wirtz for £116m.

Howe was grilled by the media ahead of Newcastle’s friendly against Arsenal on Sunday – and did not give up hope of keeping Isak.

“Of course there’s things going on behind the scenes,” the Toon boss said.

“He will be aware he’s in the news every day, and I’m sure that’s not easy for anyone in that situation. Conversations that happen between Alex and the club or Alex and myself will stay private for obvious reasons. We do share a really good relationship with him.

“He’s been magnificent for us and he’s very popular in the dressing room. We’d love him to continue his journey at Newcastle. I certainly hope he stays. And I said [last weekend] I was confident that he’d stay. I don’t see anything that’s going to change that opinion of mine at the moment, but it’s football and who knows what the future may bring.

“All I would say on the broader picture is whatever happens has to be right for Newcastle. We’re in a very strong position financially. We’re determined to be successful. We are ambitious. We’ve got a great season ahead of us. We need to add to the squad and continue to improve, and the journey can continue in an upward trajectory.”

What else did Howe say about Isak?

talkSPORT understands Isak stopped short of handing in a formal transfer request, although the striker has made it clear he is not willing to consider a new contract.

Newcastle are under no obligation to sell, but it is thought the club would be rather negotiate a move away from the Premier League, should their hand be forced.

Isak has been excellent for Newcastle since his 2022 move from Real Sociedad – but is now looking to explore his options away from St James’ Park

After the joy of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, the Magpies have experienced a difficult summer transfer window, missing out on numerous targets including Hugo Ekitike and Joao Pedro, who joined Liverpool and Chelsea respectively.

Top goalkeeper target James Trafford has also snubbed a move to St James’ Park in favour of Manchester City.

talkSPORT understands Newcastle have now opened talks with RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, with Brentford’s £40m-rated forward Yoanne Wissa also on their list.

And Howe insists his side can still emerge from the summer window in a strong position.

“I wouldn’t put a timescale on it,” he said.

“I think with these situations it has to be right for the football club, and everything then is taken into context below that.

talkSPORT verdict: Simon Jordan

“The club have got to find a resolution to it, because you can’t have a player that doesn’t want to be there.

“If he’s going to go, it has to be on Newcastle’s terms, as best as it can be.

“And someone’s got to pay the ransom that Newcastle rightly are entitled to because they’re the ones that found him, they’re the ones that put him in and they’re the ones that gave us the vision.

“We’ll see how big people’s balls are, and how big their chequebooks are. Write a cheque out and it all has to clear.”

“But the club will make the right decision with all the information that it has, and ultimately to try and move the club forward in whatever way that is. Then it’s up to us to make good decisions the other way and try and improve the squad as best we can. That’s what we’re trying to do, regardless of Alex’s situation.

“But I think there’s a wider picture here. There’s a whole football club that has to make the decision. The ownership, together with the board of directors, especially with the money involved in modern day transfers. The manager of course has an opinion, but ultimately the decision will rest with the board.”

When pressed on whether there are any attempts to agree a new deal with Isak, Howe said: “As far as I’m aware, I don’t think there are any contract talks taking place at the moment.

“That’ll be for a later date potentially. I think for now, with the situation as it is and the state of the window, in the sense that it’s hurtling towards the end of the window very quickly, from our perspective, there’s still so much that could happen.”