Eddie Howe has delivered a stark ultimatum to Alexander Isak, declaring that he will not allow the striker to "derail" his visionary Newcastle United project.
The manager is reportedly incandescent with Isak's conduct throughout the summer period, and sources suggest there has been a complete breakdown in communication between the pair for a full two weeks, prompting widespread speculation within the club that the forward's tenure at St James' Park is nearing its conclusion.
Isak, who is presently undertaking individual training sessions, seems destined for an exit from the Tyneside outfit following Newcastle's agreement of a club-record transfer fee for German sensation Nick Woltemade.
The acquisition is anticipated to facilitate Swedish international Isak's switch to Liverpool, with additional reinforcements potentially materialising ahead of the transfer window's closure.
Howe has disclosed that he has now delegated responsibility for Isak's situation to the club's Saudi-backed proprietors PIF, allowing him to concentrate on squad members who remain devoted to the Tyneside cause.
When questioned whether the Isak controversy had spiralled beyond his influence, Howe informed ChronicleLive: "That is where I have been for a long time with the Alex situation because it will be detrimental for me to invest any more time with that situation when I have 25/30 players needing every ounce of energy and time.
"And the team needs me to focus on trying to get results, that is what I have tried to do.
"Other people are dealing with that situation for me, it has been: 'Let me focus on the players are playing and can influence other results'."
Alexander Isak.
Alexander Isak wants to leave Newcastle (Image: Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Howe then declared that Isak's hesitation to play and his desire for a move to Liverpool wouldn't derail his exciting Newcastle project, with Woltemade anticipated to be accompanied by a second striker as talks persist with Wolves over Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Howe disclosed he's ready to progress from a turbulent summer and commented: "For me as soon as the season starts and the action begins you are into a totally different place.
"You have to get results and look after performances, and there is such an exciting season ahead, you don't want anything to derail from the positivity that should be directed towards the team and getting results.
"It is hard enough to do it against all the other distractions we have faced this summer, but I think the players have faced that really well.
"But we are going to have to continue to do that because the challenge only gets bigger.
"The other side of this international break, the games will explode upon us, and we need to be ready for that challenge ahead."