Eddie Howe’s response to Alexander Isak’s ‘imminent’ Newcastle United transfer

Eddie Howe refused to comment on the speculation surrounding Alexander Isak’s proposed move to Newcastle United.

The Magpies are understood to have agreed a club-record deal to sign the 22-year-old from Real Sociedad.

News broke ahead of United’s 2-1 Carabao Cup win at Tranmere Rovers on Wednesday - and Howe was in no mood to address the Isak reports.

“I can tell you nothing,” Howe said. I’ve been preparing for this game today.”

“It’s difficult for me to say (if a transfer is close) - genuinely, I’ve been preparing for the game, so don’t know what’s happened in the last few hours.”

Asked how many signings he’d like to seal before next Thursday’s transfer deadline, Howe replied: “Difficult to put a number on it. At least one, we hope.”

He continued: “I think we were looking at the attacking areas of the pitch, I don’t think that’s a huge secret. I won’t go into any more detail than that.”