Eddie Howe fires strong warning to Alexander Isak amid Liverpool interest - 'We are Newcastle United'
Alexander Isak is due back at Newcastle United’s training ground this week amid Liverpool interest.
Eddie Howe has warned Alexander Isak he must earn the right to train with Newcastle United after going AWOL.
Isak sat out of the Magpies’ pre-season tour of Asia after reporting a “minor thigh injury” but that did not prevent him from travelling to Spain to train individually at former club Real Sociedad.
Howe admitted he only found out about Isak’s whereabouts through the media, which has only fuelled suggestions that the Swede is trying to force a move to Liverpool.
The Premier League champions saw a £110million bid rejected last Friday and are expected to return if Newcastle find a replacement for Isak. The Magpies have submitted a £70m bid for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, but Manchester United are also in the race.
Eddie Howe sends strong message to Alexander Isak
Isak is understood to have arrived back on Tyneside on Saturday night and is expected to report back to the club’s training ground next week, though Howe admits he isn’t sure if that will be the case.
After arriving back from South Korea, Howe’s squad are due to train at some point this week ahead of the St James’ Park double-header against Espanyol and Atletico Madrid. But even if Isak turns up at Benton, Howe’s latest comments suggest there is no guarantee the 25-year-old will be allowed to join in full training.
In a strong message, Howe told Mail Sport. “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.”
Newcastle United board will decide on Alexander Isak future
Although Howe will have control over whether Isak trains, his future will be decided by the board. Newcastle value Isak in excess of £150m and, as mention, will only consider a sale if a suitable replacement is found.
Speaking last week, Howe said: “I wouldn't put a timescale on it. I think with these situations it has to be right for the football club, and everything then is taken into context below that.
“But the club will make the right decision with all the information that it has, and ultimately to try and move the club forward in whatever way that is. Then it's up to us to make good decisions the other way and try and improve the squad as best we can. That’s what we're trying to do, regardless of Alex's situation.
“But I think there's a wider picture here. There's a whole football club that has to make the decision. The ownership, together with the board of directors, especially with the money involved in modern day transfers. The manager of course has an opinion, but ultimately the decision will rest with the board.”