Eddie Howe has admitted he cannot control whether Alexander Isak remains a Newcastle United player this season, saying he only wants players “that really want” to be at the club.
The Sweden striker is training away from the first-team squad and will not feature in the Premier League opener against Aston Villa next weekend.
Isak has informed Howe and the club that he wants to join Liverpool, who saw a £110 million bid rejected last week. A deal will not progress unless Newcastle secure at least one replacement striker and the Premier League champions return with an acceptable offer, which is expected to happen in the next few days with the start of the Premier League season scheduled for next weekend.
“I think everything is at play because he is contracted to us, he’s our player,” Howe said. “The club basically make the decision on his future. I don’t know what that will be. I want the best and strongest squad possible, but also players that really want to play for this football club.”
Asked if he could persuade Isak to stay, Howe simply acknowledged the challenging nature of this unique situation.
“If it was that easy I’d be doing it, and I’d have done it yesterday, but it’s not,” Howe said. “I want him training and I want him playing for us. So I think by that you can see my want and wish. But from both sides, it has to be right.”
Howe stressed that the final decision rests with Newcastle’s Saudi-backed ownership, who maintain Isak is not for sale but are aware an exit could be in the club’s best interests under the right conditions.
“That will be for other people to make,” Howe added. “From my perspective, it’s not in my control, so it’s not my focus. My job is to manage the team and prepare for Aston Villa.”