Eddie Howe has refused to confirm whether Alexander Isak asked to leave Newcastle United last season amid ongoing interest from Liverpool
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe speaks to the media during the first press conference of the season at the Newcastle United Media Centre on August 15, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Eddie Howe has confirmed that he spoke to Alexander Isak about the wantaway striker’s Newcastle United future at the end of last season. But the Magpies manager has refused to reveal with Isak had asked to leave the club.
The 25-year-old broke his silence about his future earlier this week as he hit out at the Magpies. Releasing a statement on Instagram moments after he was confirmed as being named in the PFA's Team of the Year for last season, Isak insisted that his Newcastle career was over, citing broken promises behind the scenes.
The Swede has not featured for the Magpies throughout the summer and is currently training on his own as he holds out for a move to Liverpool.
The Reds had a £110m bid rejected by Newcastle earlier this month and are understood to be ready to return to the table should they be given encouragement from the North East that a deal could be possible.
However, following Isak’s statement, the Magpies released an official club statement of their own expressing disappointment in his actions and claiming he would be likely to stay put at St James' Park.
It had been suggested that the broken promises Isak alluded to were with regards to being told he would be free to leave the club.
And while Howe confirmed that he had held conversations with the player about his future, he refused to reveal whether Isak had asked to leave the club before the end of last season.
“Yeah, me and Alex had conversations towards the end of the season,” he admitted. “Yes, I am not going to sit here and deny that.
“I have always said that individual conversations are better off remaining private. But we had conversations at the end of the season.
“But I have had conversations with him near enough every day when he’s here at the training ground. That wouldn't be abnormal. But yes, we had discussions about his future.”
Meanwhile, Howe also shared his disappointment at the transfer saga being played out publicly following the statements from both Isak and the club.
“I think my emotion was one of disappointment in the respect that these things are being made public,” he said. “For me, all of these things should ideally be face to face, club and player.
“The public, yes, it’s great for you guys, it’s great news. But it doesn’t reflect well on us or Alex. That would be my preference, it always is on these things.
“But in the modern day world, that’s sort of what happens. From the club’s perspective, they felt they had to act and reply. But for me, it’s a sad moment trying to deal with it all.
“The club have had a very strong stance regarding Alex’s situation all summer. Obviously there has been a lot of communication between the football club and Alex and his representatives that I have not been a part of.
“But for me, nothing has changed throughout the summer.”