Howe admits Isak situation unhealthy for Newcastle | OneFootball

Eddie Howe has said the situation surrounding Newcastle forward Alexander Isak is not ‘healthy’ for the club.

Isak is currently training alone after informing Newcastle that he wants to leave the club. The Swedish striker wants to join Liverpool, who had an opening offer rejected earlier in the transfer window.

Isak has told Newcastle that he has no intention of rejoining the squad with his mind made up on an exit from St James’ Park. Liverpool are expected to return with an improved British transfer record bid, should Newcastle indicate a deal can be done.

Howe takes his team to Aston Villa tomorrow for the club’s Premier League opener. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he suggested he is keen for a resolution with the Isak situation negatively impacting the squad.

“I don’t think it’s been healthy for us, I don’t deny that’s been a big challenge,” Howe said.

“Alex, for me, is one of the best strikers in the world – if not the best. To miss him from your squad leaves a huge gap.”

“When you have a player that good who is not part of your group, it’s difficult for the players to fully understand it and to know what’s going on and how to react.”

“As time has gone on, there has been an acceptance this is the squad and we have got to make the best of the situation. That’s always been my train of thought.”

Howe keen for Newcastle to ignore Isak negativity

On the negativity that has surrounded Newcastle’s transfer window, Howe said he was keen for the squad to shut out the outside noise.

“The noise itself doesn’t exist unless you open yourself up to it. You are aware of the tone around our summer but we haven’t felt a lot of the feelings that have been published.”

“Internally it has been about our training but there has been negativity around our summer that we’ve had to try and repel otherwise it can bring the mood of the squad down and there’s no need for that. Yes there has been stressful moments but we’ve got a lot of the same players and we’ve been extremely successful for a long time.

“I think morale was certainly affected early on during pre-season. There was nothing I could do to affect that – it was always going to be there.

“Whatever situation you’re in, you have got to find a way and you can only control what you can control. We have moved forward and I’ve got to say the atmosphere of the group has been very good in the last couple of weeks.”

Read – Six Premier League signings we can’t wait to see debut

See more – The most exciting non-Big Six Premier League transfers this summer

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok