Eddie Howe has fired a stark warning to want-away Alexander Isak – Newcastle United players cannot expect to ‘act poorly’ and then train with their team-mates.
In an incredibly forthright message delivered from here in Seoul, the head coach told Mail Sport that the Swede must ‘earn the right’ to return to training in the coming days, if indeed he shows up.
Howe and the club had no idea that Isak had gone AWOL when he flew to Spain last week to use the training facilities at his former club Real Sociedad.
Before that, he ruled himself out of the squad’s Far East tour when he walked out of training citing a thigh injury. A subsequent scan showed no damage.
Isak and his agent are trying to force a move to Liverpool and are waiting for the Premier League champions to return with an improved offer after their opening bid of £110million was rejected on Friday.
Mail Sport understands that will happen, but only when Newcastle make progress on a replacement.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has fired a stark warning to want-away Alexander Isak
Howe and the club had no idea that Isak had gone AWOL when he flew to Spain last week
Isak and his agent are trying to force a move to Liverpool after the Reds had a bid rejected
And before boarding the team’s flight back to Tyneside from the South Korean capital on Sunday, Howe offered a passionate defence of his club and his players in light of Isak’s conduct.
Asked if the 25-year-old would train this week, the Newcastle boss told me: ‘You have to earn the right to train with us.
‘We are Newcastle United. The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad – you have to act in the right way. So that is also at play here.
‘We will make sure that any player does that to earn the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal.’
Howe revealed that he has not spoken to Isak since the player returned to Tyneside on Saturday, but that he does expect him to report for training later this week.
It would appear, though, that some frank conversations would be needed before he takes to the field with his team-mates, even if there is no guarantee he will report to their Benton base. If not, he will effectively be on strike.
‘Of course I’d like him to be (there), but whether he will I don’t know at this moment in time,’ said Howe. ‘We have been here with the time difference, preparing for training and for games. Other people have been dealing with that situation back at home.’
All of this adds to the feeling that Isak’s time at the club is coming to an end. However, Newcastle will only sell on their terms – and that means an acceptable offer from Liverpool approaching £150m and having a replacement lined up.
Howe revealed that he has not spoken to Isak since the player returned to Tyneside
As of Sunday night, Newcastle were still waiting for an answer from RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, the 22-year-old striker at the top of their list of targets.
They are currently negating a £70m package with the Bundesliga club, but the player’s own wishes will determine his future, with Manchester United also interested.
Progress is expected on a deal for Brentford’s 28-year-old forward Yoane Wissa this week, but a younger striker is needed to replace Isak. Until Newcastle have that, he will not be sold, even though there is a growing acceptance inside the club that his sale is the best way forward for all parties.
