Alexander Isak's future is now in PIF's hands as Eddie Howe makes his feelings clear in the star striker
Alexander Isak during the Newcastle United training session
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says the future of Alexander Isak now lies in the hands of the powers that be at St James' Park.
The club had PIF officials in the directors' box today as the Isak situation reaches an end game, with Howe now saying he is powerless to stop him leaving.
On another bruising day for the club, Newcastle were beaten by Atletico Madrid and had Anthony Gordon injured, although the initial reaction on the Scouser's ankle injury was it is not as bad as first feared.
Howe was open and honest in his 17-minute media briefing after the defeat to the La Liga side. When asked if it was now clear the best plan of action was to let the wantaway striker Isak leave, Howe told Chronicle Live: "Again, it is a decision that I won't make, that will be for other people to make. For me I am just trying to manage the situation.
"And manage the team most importantly, manage the group of players I am working with day to day. I love coaching and helping, we are focused on Aston Villa.
"Everything else, from my perspective, is not in my control, so it is not my focus."
Quizzed on whether he would be having another attempt to settle Isak down and persuade him to face Aston Villa next week, Howe did not offer any positive response.
When asked if he could control having another conversation with Isak to try to change his mind, Howe said: "If that it was that easy, I would be doing it and I'd have done it yesterday.
"I think I am better off focusing on the players. The Aston Villa game is going to be upon on us before we know it, it will be there and we need to be ready."
With Newcastle struggling for firepower and linked with Yoane Wissa as a possible forward option, Howe was asked if he would have a new player through the door in time for Villa Park, responding: "I don't know, I hope so. But no guarantees."
The head coach then faced further questions on Isak and was probed on his comments 24 hours ago.
"I think I said enough last night I don't really want to go there because I don't think it is fair on either party. I did say I want him training and playing for us. So I think by that you can see my want and wish. But for both sides, it has to be right."
Is there any hope that Isak could yet play again for Newcastle? And what happens next?
He added: "I think everything is still in play, he is contracted to us, he is our player. The club basically make the decision on his future.
"I don't know what that will be. Of course, I have a preferred outcome, I want the best and strongest squad possible.
"I want the players that really want to play for this football club."
Earlier in the day reports that PIF had refused to sell Isak to Liverpool had also made the headlines, but when that was put to Howe he said: "No, that’s not something I'm aware of. I’m not party to all discussions, but I have no knowledge of that"
The positive from the press conference was undoubtedly that Gordon is not expected to miss Villa next week.
The former Bournemouth boss added: "It's an ankle problem. It looks like it's just a twist, so hopefully he is OK. Fingers crossed."