Newcastle manager Eddie Howe says he can’t give any “guarantees” that Liverpool target Alexander Isak will stay at St James’ Park.
The Swedish international has been linked with both the Reds and Arsenal in recent months, and speaking about Isak after losing 1-0 to the Gunners at the weekend, Howe admitted that he cannot completely rule out a transfer:
“I never make those guarantees about any player and it’s not to do with Alex’s future but I’d be foolish to sit here and do anything like that.”
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“We want to keep our strongest players. I’ve said that ever since I’ve been here and sat in this seat. We have to try and keep our best players and bring in more good players to make us even stronger because the ambition of the club and everyone connected with the club is long-term success, and that’s the only way to get that.”
Champions League football will determine Isak’s future
The Magpies are currently sitting in 3rd place, but there is just a point separating them and Nottingham Forest in 7th with just a game to go.
If Howe’s team do finish outside the top 5, there would be more pressure to offload Isak in order to balance the books. However, if Champions League football is secured against Everton on the final day, it seems very unlikely that their top striker (who has scored 27 goals and provided 6 assists this campaign) would be on the move.
Have Liverpool identified alternate targets?
With Darwin Nunez expected to leave Anfield over the coming weeks, it is thought that the Reds have already drawn up a list of potential replacements.
In addition to Isak, the club have a longstanding interest in Brighton’s Joao Pedro, while they are also believed to be keeping close tabs on Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.
Click here to see Liverpool’s first team squad for the 2024/25 season