Eddie Howe would love Alexander Isak to remain at Newcastle however admits there are “issues happening behind the scenes” with the striker pondering a transfer away from Tyneside.
Isak shouldn’t be with the remainder of the squad on the pre-season journey to Asia with the membership stating it was attributable to a minor thigh damage. Nonetheless, not lengthy after Newcastle claimed their star man was not match, studies emerged that Isak was exploring a switch away from St James’ Park.
Isak has been tracked by Liverpool in current weeks whereas he’s additionally reported to have been provided a profitable contract by Saudi Arabian aspect Al-Hilal.
Isak the centre of consideration regardless of absence
It leaves Howe in a difficult place and, unsurprisingly, the topic dominated his press convention forward of tomorrow’s pleasant towards Arsenal in Singapore.
“There’s issues happening behind the scenes. He shall be conscious he’s within the information on daily basis and I’m positive that’s not straightforward for anybody,” he mentioned.
“Conversations that occur between Alex and the membership or Alex and myself will keep personal. We do share a extremely good relationship with him. He’s been magnificent for us since he’s joined. He’s very talked-about within the dressing room and we’d love him to proceed his journey at Newcastle.”
No new contract for Isak at current – Howe
Newcastle followers have clamoured for Isak to be handed a brand new deal to steer him to remain however Howe admitted that isn’t at the moment on the agenda.
“That’ll be for a later date,” he added with Isak nonetheless having three years left on his present deal.
“With the state of affairs as it’s and the state of the window, within the sense that it’s hurtling in the direction of the top of the window in a short time from our perspective, there’s nonetheless a lot that would occur.”
Howe insisted Isak was carrying a knock and had not simply opted out of the journey, having additionally missed final weekend’s 4-0 thrashing by Celtic.
He mentioned: “Together with his damage, I’ve acquired no main replace on that. He first talked about his thigh simply earlier than the Celtic sport and we assumed it might a be very minimal damage, nothing too severe.
“Then on the Monday after the Celtic sport, he went in from coaching very early, didn’t really feel proper, so he’s now in Newcastle getting that damage assessed. Hopefully he’ll be again quickly taking part in within the black and white shirt. That’s what all of us wish to see.”