Eddie Howe has admitted Newcastle are in a 'no-win situation' over the departure of striker Alexander Isak.
The 25-year-old Sweden international will not feature in Monday night's Premier League clash with Liverpool – the club whose £110million bid for him was rejected earlier this month – as he continues his exile in attempts to leave St James' Park.
Either way, the matter will be resolved by the time the transfer window closes on September 1 and Howe knows the Magpies will be the weaker side – at least in the short term – whether they lose or keep their disgruntled star player.
The 47-year-old, who confirmed he and the striker discussed his future at the end of last season, said: “I think it's a bit of a lose-lose situation for us because I don't think we can come out of it as winners in any situation.”
“That’s why I’ve been saying all summer that it’s difficult for the club to deal with this situation.
“We love Alex for what he has done for this football club since he has been here, for his contribution, for what he has given, for how professional he has been and it has just been a bad few months that looks like it is coming to an end.
“And it will be over pretty quickly, and then we can focus on football again.”
Isak upped the ante in his bid to secure a transfer this week by issuing a statement citing “broken promises” over his future, a claim that was immediately denied by the Magpies, who value him at £150m.
Howe, who signed the Swede from Real Sociedad for £63m in 2022, admitted he had not spoken to the player this week but insisted Isak could eventually be reintegrated into his squad.
Asked whether Isak would be fully committed to the club if he stayed, the head coach replied: “It goes without saying that if you are going to select a team to play in, then these players must be focused on playing at their best.
“I've always believed in these values, to build a team that can win games. That's what I get paid for. Everything else that goes with it can change.
“I've had that happen many times in my career. A player might not be in top form one day, and then a few days later he's ready to play again. That's the beauty of human nature: we can all change our emotions and feelings quite quickly.”
Howe is confident that if that happens, Isak will be welcomed back into the team despite his summer struggles.
He said: “It was a really difficult situation for him and for the players to see us without him.
“The players did a great job. If Alex decided to come back and play for us, the players would be happy to have him back.”
In preparation for a follow-up bid from Liverpool, Newcastle, who have insisted all summer that Isak is not for sale, are scouring the market for a potential replacement not only for him but also for Callum Wilson, with Brentford's Joane Wissa and Wolves' Jorgen Stran Larsen currently in their sights.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
