Eddie Howe Reflects on Alexander Isak's Departure to Liverpool
Eddie Howe has acknowledged a shift in his relationship with Alexander Isak following the player's decision to go on "strike" in an effort to secure a transfer to Liverpool.
Isak, who previously played as a centre-forward for Newcastle United, trained separately from his teammates and did not participate in the club's first three matches of the season before completing a record-breaking £125 million move to Liverpool on deadline day.
In his first comments since the transfer, Howe noted that communication between him and Isak "became difficult" during this period. "Alex and I always enjoyed a great relationship," he stated. "I loved working with him, and I hope he enjoyed working with us. It was mutually beneficial. We helped him develop into the player he is today, and he contributed significantly to our team's success. However, the moment he went on strike, our relationship did change, marking a turning point for us."
Isak 'Loved His Time' at Newcastle
The 25-year-old Swede is the first major player Newcastle has sold since Howe took the helm nearly four years ago. Newcastle had initially rejected a £110 million offer from Liverpool last month, but after securing a club-record deal for forward Nick Woltemade and pursuing a transfer for Yoane Wissa, they accepted an enhanced bid in the final hours of the transfer window.
Howe expressed his desire for Newcastle to retain their top talents moving forward. "That’s what we want to do. We aim to create an environment and a home for players that they love being at," he said. "Alex was very much part of that and enjoyed his time here, so I don’t believe that was the issue. The arrival of the other club changed his perspective. I never saw a day where Alex didn’t seem to enjoy being here when he was at his best."
Newcastle has navigated the opening weeks of the season without a senior striker, and they will face a challenge with limited options for their Premier League match against Wolves on Saturday (15:00 BST). Wissa will miss the game due to a knee injury, joining suspended forward Anthony Gordon and injured midfielder Jacob Ramsey on the sidelines.
However, Woltemade is set to make his debut after completing a £69 million transfer from Stuttgart last month. Newcastle initially faced several setbacks in their search for a striker, as targets such as Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko, and Joao Pedro all moved to different clubs. This led the club to focus on recruiting players like Woltemade and Wissa, who were eager to join.
Howe emphasized the importance of player commitment, stating, "It’s absolutely crucial. It’s very difficult to work with players who do not want to be at a club. For me, it’s one of the most important traits to consider when recruiting players. You can assess their ability and character, but if they are uncertain about joining, it complicates the transfer process significantly."
Many of Newcastle’s best signings have shared a strong desire to be part of the club. Players like Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, and Kieran Trippier were willing to join a team facing relegation struggles in 2022. "All the successful transfers we have made since I have been here have been characterized by their clear desire to sign for the club for various reasons," Howe added. "This eagerness is reflected in their performance, and during challenging moments, their love for the club and the environment becomes evident."