The last 24 hours on Tyneside has given us perhaps the biggest indicator yet that Alexander Isak could finally be on his way out of Newcastle United.
The impending arrival of German striker Nick Woltemade, coupled with our ongoing interest in Yoane Wissa, will provide a much needed boost up top that Isak’s continued absence has left us craving.
Of course, there’s still the matter of Liverpool needing to cough up a British record fee to sign the Swede, otherwise our owners could very well stick to their guns and keep Isak at the club, despite previous reports that we had a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with Isak to allow him to leave if these conditions were met.
Eddie Howe meanwhile has shot down any knowledge of such agreements or discussions with Isak, and seems keen to keep the conversations away from Isak’s future, focusing instead on his available players and potential additions.
Speaking to the media before Saturday’s game away to Leeds United, Howe was asked by The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards about the ongoing striker situation with Isak, Woltemade and Wissa.
The gaffer has firmly denied any claims that Isak has been promised a move if two forwards have been brought in, despite rumours still swirling that that is the case.
_“Absolutely not,”_ Howe said in response. _“I never make any promises to any players regarding transfers because ultimately I’m not in control of the whole thing. So I never make a promise like that to a player.”_
_“But of course, as I’ve said so many times with conversations with Alex, I’m not gonna reveal the dialogue because I don’t believe that’s healthy.”_
It’s a fair question, and this is what Howe had to say in his follow up answer earlier today:
_“Well we haven’t brought anyone in yet, we’re in the process of trying to do that. And as I said earlier, I think the best thing to do, from my position, reflect and analyse on if we’re able to make a signing, and see what we do next.”_
_“As I’ve said Luke, that’s for other people to decide in this moment in time. I’m not in control of those discussions and those talks, so I’m focusing on trying to bring players into the club and improve the team.”_
It’s clear as day that the Isak saga has took its toll on the squad this summer, heavily hampering both our pre-season campaign and start to the season.
For the sake of squad harmony, many feel that selling Isak needs to happen, and that the duo of Woltemade and Wissa coming in his place is the right move.
Howe hasn’t made his feelings entirely clear on the situation, sitting on the fence in believing that Isak can be reintegrated into the team. But that he needs to show that he should be given the privilege of putting on the black and stripes for the club again.
Liverpool are expected to launch a second bid soon, so we’ll have to hope it comes in much higher than the £110m mark to sanction his sale if a second striker follows Wotemade through the door on Tyneside.