Eddie Howe breaks silence on Liverpool Alexander Isak transfer bid as 'difficult' admission made

Howe and Isak

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has provided a fresh update on Liverpool target Alexander Isak and described the current situation as "far from ideal" and "quite complex".

The Reds made a first official bid - believed to be worth £110million flat - for the Sweden international on Friday, but the offer was rejected by Newcastle.

It's now understood that Liverpool are not intending to submit a second bid and are prepared to end talks there, given the swiftness of the Magpies' response

However, Newcastle now find themselves in a difficult situation as the forward has made it clear that wants to explore opportunities to leave and is said to be training with former club, Real Sociedad.

Isak did not travel out to Asia with the rest of his team-mates for a pre-season tour, with his absence put down to a minor thigh problem.

But it later emerged that he had asked to depart the club, amid interest from Liverpool.

Newcastle have been adamant throughout the summer that Isak is not for sale, putting an asking price of £150m on his head.

That stance would have to change in order for Liverpool to come back to the table for another bid.

In the meantime, Newcastle have been preparing for their latest pre-season fixture against Tottenham in South Korea and Howe was asked about the latest around Isak's future in a press conference to on Saturday morning

Howe

"I was made aware of a bid yesterday and that bid was turned down, all before I’d even heard about it,"

"People back in England are dealing with the situation. I don't know what happens next.

“From our perceptive, we still support Alex in every way and my wish is that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again."

Isak has been training in Spain with Sociedad as he tries to keep sharp and in shape ahead of the start of the 2025/26 season.

Howe added

"I know where he is, really, through the media,"

"From that perspective, it's difficult for me to go into any kind of detail. The situation is far from ideal & is quite complex."

Isak signed for Newcastle in a £60m deal from Sociedad in 2022 and has been a revelation during his time in the north east.

Last season, he scored 27 goals in 42 matches across all competitions.