Eddie Howe has revealed he has NOT spoken to Alexander Isak since his bombshell statement and admits that Newcastle are in a ‘lose-lose’ situation - given the exiled striker will either leave or stay against his wishes.
The head coach still believes the Swede can return to the squad and that is his hope, despite being ‘saddened’ by the statement released on Tuesday evening.
In it, Isak accused the club of ‘broken promises’ and spoke of a ‘loss of trust’, reaffirming his desire to leave.
Newcastle, though, have been unable to sign the two strikers - they are struggling to bring in one - that would have allowed them to negotiate with suitors Liverpool, who they face at St James’ Park on Monday.
In a club statement in response, Newcastle said: ‘We have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired. We do not foresee those conditions being met.’
Speaking on Friday for the first since the statements, Howe said: ‘The club has to act in the best interests of Newcastle and we will do that in every situation. I think it is a lose-lose situation to a degree for us, because I don’t think we can come out of this winning in any situation. That is why I have said all summer it is a difficult situation for the club to manage.’
Of Isak’s statement, Howe said: ‘My emotion was one of disappointment in the respect of these things being made public. For me, all of these things, ideally, should be face to face, club on player. Yes, in public, it’s great for you guys, it’s great news, but it doesn’t reflect well on us or Alex. For me, it’s a sad moment trying to deal with it all. The situation is regrettable.
‘From the club’s perspective, they thought they had to act and reply. Needs must. The club has spoken, and justifiably so in that moment.’
Isak’s statement led to a hardening of the club’s stance and the board are now intent on telling the player he is going nowhere.
If so, it will be down to Howe to reintegrate him into the squad after the transfer window, even though Isak has communicated he does not want to play for the club again.
‘If Alex is to play for Newcastle again, he has to be totally committed,’ said Howe. ‘If you’re going to select a team to play, those players have to be committed in giving their best performance,’ said Howe. ‘I have always believed in those values, in order to produce a team that can win matches.
‘All the other stuff around it, things can change. I have had this so many times in my career, a player might not be in a great place one day, and a few days later they are there and ready to play. That is the beauty of human-beings, we can all change our emotions and feelings quite quickly.
‘My wish is he would be playing on Monday night but he won't be, which is regrettable. But 100 per cent I want to see him back in a Newcastle shirt. I hope I can work with him again and get him back to his very best.’
Howe added: ‘This has been an unfortunate situation but there are always two sides to every story. There's always more than even I will know, because there are conversations and things that have taken place far away from me and my knowledge off it.’
