Newcastle’s owners spoke to Alexander Isak at the striker’s home on Monday in an attempt to convince him to stay and return to Eddie Howe’s team, who were beaten by a late goal from Liverpool’s 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha.
Daily Mail Sport can reveal co-owner Jamie Reuben and Newcastle director Jacobo Solis, from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, met Isak at his house in Northumberland ahead of Monday night’s Premier League clash at St James’ Park.
Liverpool won a thrilling, feisty clash 3-2 thanks to a 100th-minute strike from Ngumoha which broke Toon hearts, given they had bravely fought for half the match with 10 men after Anthony Gordon’s red card for a rash lunge on Virgil van Dijk. Strikes from Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula had pulled the hosts back to 2-2.
Newcastle want Isak to return to training and playing after he went on strike in a bid to force a move to Anfield. It is understood that a new contract would be part of discussions, if Isak committed himself to the club this season. The 25-year-old has so far made clear his desire to move on, but Newcastle have been unable to satisfy the conditions of a potential sale — which would be two strikers brought in and a British record offer from Liverpool. Newcastle have signed no strikers — they had a £50million bid for Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen rejected on Monday — and have turned down Liverpool’s only offer of £110m.
It has always been the club’s preference to keep Isak, and with time running out in the transfer window, they are determined to see him reintegrated into Howe’s squad. Sources believe Monday’s meeting is a step in the right direction.
Eddie Howe said he was ‘not party to talks that have been happening’, but admits his team have missed Isak in their opening two matches, which have brought just one point.
Eddie Howe has admitted that Newcastle have missed Alexander Isak so far this season
Howe’s team produced an impressive display against Liverpool but still ended up losing
Newcastle co-owner Jamie Reuben (pictured) and director Jacobo Solis, from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, met Isak at his house
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‘The quality of Alex, I think he would have made a difference in the two games,’ said Howe. ‘But the team has functioned well, you can’t carry anyone. It was a great performance. The first half was very us, high octane, front-foot football. The only thing missing was goals.
‘The second half was really well executed by the players. I cannot fault them at all. They gave so much to the game. I’m absolutely gutted we have noting to take from it. We have shown our fighting spirit and put the distractions around us away. We’d just like the results to show for that.’
Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan was at St James’ Park and Howe hopes that his presence can bring about progress when it comes to Isak’s future.
Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan was at St James’ Park for the clash against Liverpool
‘The ideal from everyone is we want clarity,’ said Howe. ‘We want the narrative to change. His (Al-Ruamayyan’s) presence is much appreciated from my perspective. He is the owner, he is the most important person in terms of any decisions we make.’
Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Arne Slot was not happy with Newcastle’s approach.
‘I’m not too sure if I saw a football match today, it was set-piece after set-piece, long throws, it didn’t have a lot to do with tactics,’ he said. ‘I liked how we stood strong, we didn’t collapse at all. Them going down to ten men, when a goalkeeper takes every free kick, it’s not so much help when you are one player up. That is why it’s so difficult to get a 2-0 over the line.’
