Newcastle: Howe Uncertainty Over Isak After President’s Visit

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has confessed that he “has no idea” how the Alexander Isak transfer situation is going, after club chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan traveled to Tyneside for Monday’s clash against Liverpool. Newcastle came back from 2-0 down at St James’ Park, despite playing with ten men after Anthony Gordon’s sending-off in the first half, but ultimately lost the match after a late goal from Liverpool’s youngster, Rio Ngumoha. Isak was not part of Newcastle’s squad, as he is still pushing to leave the club. Liverpool had already seen an offer of £110 million for the striker rejected earlier in the month.

When Howe was asked if Al-Rumayyan had held conversations with Isak, he replied: “I am not aware of that, but I haven’t been involved in conversations about this for a long time. So I have been preparing the team, giving all my energy to the players who want to play for Newcastle. I think that’s where my energy works best.” “I am not participating in the conversations that have been taking place, so I have no idea what the situation is.” When asked if Al-Rumayyan’s presence on Monday was related to Isak, Howe said: “I don’t know why he’s here in the sense that the main reason he’s here is obviously to see the team, support the team and show his presence, which is very much appreciated from my perspective and very much loved by everyone when he’s here and connects with the fans. “But yes, you’re right, he’s the owner. He’s the most important person when it comes to directing the decisions we make. But as I said, I’m not participating in any conversation that has taken place today, so I have no idea in which direction that’s going.” Howe added: “For our part, we want clarity, we want to move forward. We want the narrative to change because we are at the beginning of the season, we are in action and we have to get results and we have to try to focus on what we can control.” “We’ve had two very, very good performances. We’ve finished with a point. That’s tough for us and especially at this moment, where you’re looking for something positive to hold onto, but we fought and now we’re going to Leeds.”