It’s been a showdown some time in the making, and one that has reportedly divided the Newcastle United squad.
Alexander Isak has been absent from the Newcastle United squad for some time, with what was first reported as an injury concern has now descended into the striker openly pushing for a move away from the club.
And the striker’s actions haven’t gone unnoticed by Eddie Howe and the squad who have been on their tour of Asia.
With all parties now set to return to the North East ahead of the Sela Cup and opening fixture of the Premier League campaign against Aston Villa, Howe has sent a stark warning to last season’s top scorer…
Speaking to The Mail’s Craig Hope after today’s 1-1 draw with Spurs, Howe has addressed the upcoming situation with Isak ahead of everyone’s return to the North East for further pre-season training this coming week.
With how openly Isak has been pushing for a move to Merseyside over the past fortnight, Howe has laid down the law and has told the striker not to expect too much of a welcome return to the side.
His message strikes the perfect note and is superb, strong man management from the boss, who said:
> _“You have to earn the right to train with us.”_
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> _“We are Newcastle United. The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad._
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> _“You have to act in the right way. So that is also at play here.”_
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> _“No player can expect to act poorly and then train with the group as normal.”_
It’s a bold move from Howe and one that drives home the message; no one is bigger than the club and he won’t openly accept the wrong approach to training, even if it’s our top player.
Howe has previously spoken optimistically that a solution could be found for Isak to remain with the team, and that any issues he has had could be ironed out and resolved before the start of the season.
But Craig Hope has revealed that there is a ‘growing acceptance’ within the club that the 25-year-old is indeed on his way out this window.
Though the club’s public stance remains the same: Isak is not for sale, and any sale would be on our terms in regards to the fee and instalments.
After the initial £110m bid from Liverpool was swiftly rejected, we seem to be expecting the Reds to return with a British record fee, but this of course must align with us bringing in a striker like Benjamin Sesko to directly replace the departing Isak.