Eddie Howe makes baffling Alexander Isak transfer claim ahead of Liverpool showdown
Liverpool are set to face Newcastle on Monday in a highly anticipated affair.
The two Premier League clubs have had their transfer business intertwined this summer, with Alexander Isak’s future dominating headlines.
Liverpool are keen to sign Isak this summer, but have had a bid rebuffed by the Magpies.
Going into the match, the attacker is not set to be involved as he remains on strike.
Now, Eddie Howe has given his take on the situation in the build-up to the match.
Eddie Howe: Alexander Isak situation is a lose-lose
With Isak refusing to play for Newcastle amid the ongoing speculation, the Magpies are no doubt at a disadvantage on Monday.
A replacement is likely needed if Howe is to allow his star man to go, but the saga has certainly not gone in their favour.
Speaking in his press conference on 22 August, the Newcastle manager stated that this was a “lose-lose situation” for the Magpies.
- Isak signed for Newcastle in 2022
- The striker netted in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup victory over Liverpool
- Isak is determined to leave the Magpies this summer
“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,” he said.
“That is why I have said all summer, it is a difficult situation for the club to manage.
“We love Alex in the sense of what he has done for this football club since he has been here, what he has contributed, what he has given, how professional he’s been, and this has just been an unfortunate few months that looks like it is coming to an end.
“And it will come to an end pretty quickly, and then we can focus on the football again.”
However, this is a baffling statement to make given the context. If a sale does go through, then Newcastle will almost certainly rake in a Premier League record fee for the striker.
| Alexander Isak’s record at Newcastle | |
| Appearances | 109 |
| Goals | 62 |
| Assists | 11 |
With this money, the Magpies could buy several new stars who could get into their starting XI.
There is still plenty of time left in the transfer window to make this happen.
Therefore, to suggest Newcastle are in a lose-lose situation when they could bag around £150million for a player who doesn’t want to play is a seriously poor take.
- Read more: Eddie Howe has just handed Liverpool victory after what he’s disclosed about Alexander Isak
Is Alexander Isak worth the hassle for Liverpool?
It is no secret that this transfer saga has been messy. Compared to Liverpool’s other deals this summer, this will not have gone the way Arne Slot wanted.
Many also think Liverpool should not pay £150m for Isak, with Jamie Carragher being one critic.
However, Isak does guarantee goals, and his addition should almost guarantee a trophy for the Reds this summer.
Therefore, if all goes through and Isak turns out to be a success, few of the Anfield faithful will care how Liverpool went about doing it.
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