Eddie Howe has revealed that his relationship with Alexander Isak broke down after the Sweden international went on “strike” to engineer a British record £125m move from Newcastle United to Liverpool on transfer deadline day.
Isak, who turned 25 this week, refused to train with his teammates during the opening weeks of the season and missed Newcastle’s first three Premier League matches as negotiations with Liverpool intensified.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the striker’s departure, Howe admitted that communication between the pair “became difficult” once Isak made clear his desire to leave.
“Alex and I always enjoyed a great relationship,” Howe told reporters. “I loved working with him and I hope he enjoyed working with us.
We helped him become the player he is today in part, and he helped us achieve some incredible milestones as a team, but the moment he went on strike, our relationship did change and that was probably the turning point.”
Isak’s exit marks end of an era
Isak becomes the first key player Newcastle have sold since Howe took charge nearly four years ago, ending a spell in which he was central to the club’s resurgence under Saudi-backed ownership.
Liverpool had seen an initial £110m offer rejected in August, but Newcastle relented late in the window after completing a club-record £69m signing of Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade and agreeing a deal for Brentford forward Yoane Wissa.
Howe stressed that Newcastle still want to hold on to their prized assets in future.
“We want to create an environment and a home where players love being here,” he said. “Alex was very much part of that and loved his time here — I never saw a day where he didn’t enjoy being at Newcastle, but once another club came in, his thought process changed.”
Striker shortage ahead of Wolves clash
Isak’s departure has left Newcastle light in attack at the start of the campaign; Wissa, who arrived to help bolster the forward line, will miss Saturday’s match against Wolves at St James’ Park with a knee injury.
Anthony Gordon is suspended, while Jacob Ramsey remains sidelined with a fitness issue.
That leaves new signing Woltemade in line for his debut, with Howe confirming the Germany international is “ready to be involved.”
Newcastle endured a frustrating summer pursuit of strikers before eventually securing Woltemade and Wissa.
Targets Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko and Joao Pedro all opted for moves elsewhere, forcing the Magpies to focus on players committed to joining.
“It’s absolutely crucial to work with players who really want to be at the club,” Howe explained. “Ability and talent matter, but if they’re unsure about coming here, that makes any transfer difficult to complete. Some of our best signings — Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier — joined when we were in relegation trouble. They wanted to be here and that showed in their performances.”
Focus shifts to stability
Despite the disappointment of losing Isak, Howe emphasised that Newcastle’s transfer model remains built on recruiting players with hunger and loyalty, qualities he believes are vital in tough moments.
“In all the successful transfers we’ve made since I arrived, the players have been undoubted in their desire to sign for this club,” Howe said. “That love for the environment and the badge shines through when difficult moments come.”
As Newcastle adjust to life without Isak, Howe will now lean on his new signings and a core of committed senior players to keep the club pushing toward its long-term ambitions.