Eddie Howe says Newcastle have yet to receive a formal offer for wantaway striker Alexander Isak and insists the player’s future remains in the club’s hands “to a degree”.
Howe was speaking from Seoul where the Magpies take on a K.League XI tomorrow in the latest game of their pre-season tour of the Far East.
Isak is not in South Korea after reporting a minor thigh injury but has made it clear to club chiefs that he wishes to explore a move away from St James’ Park.
We want to keep Isak – Howe
Liverpool are the frontrunners in the race for the 25-year-old Sweden international but Howe insists Newcastle want to keep a player that has another three years to run on his contract.
He told Mail Sport: “He is still our player. He’s contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that’s not in my full control.
“We have not received a formal offer for Alex, from any club. My wish is that he stays and we see him playing again next year.”
Howe also claimed he had not spoken to any of the club’s Saudi ownership group over recent days regarding Isak’s future.
“No, I haven’t,” he said. “Mainly for the fact I’ve been travelling and today we’ve been working on the training for this afternoon. With these trips, they are always so intense. Of course, I’m in contact with the people I need to be in contact with back at home, but it’s very minimal contact when you’re away.”
Newcastle won’t make any panic moves – Howe
It has been a frustrating window for Newcastle with several of the club’s top targets opting to move elsewhere. They have missed out on Joao Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo and James Trafford while a move for Yoane Wissa has stalled due to Brentford’s reluctance to sell.
A striker remains a priority, even if Isak stays, but Howe insists the club won’t be panicked into making a rash move.
He said: “It is an important time for us. There is lots to take in. We have to bring the right type of player in. We should in no way act out of character and should work how we always have in the window. That is in a strategic way.
“If the right player isn’t available to us for the right price, then we can’t do the deals. Everything has to fall in line. We are looking to add depth and quality to the areas that we have identified. Fingers crossed we can get deals done.”
Injury-prone centre-half Sven Botman sustained a groin problem in the 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in Singapore on Sunday and won’t play tomorrow.
