Eddie Howe confirmed that Alexander Isaac will not be selected for his team to face Aston Villa on Saturday. The Swedish striker has trained away from the first team after expressing his desire to leave the club in interest from Liverpool.
Isaac, 25, reportedly has asserted that he will not play for Newcastle again. It will be signed until 2028, and the Reds appear reluctant to meet their rival’s £150 million valuation. Now, Howe resisted the temptation to reintegrate him at Villa Park for the kickoff tomorrow at 12:30pm.
At a pre-match press conference, Howe was asked if there was development with the player’s current stance. He replied: “There was no change. Tomorrow we will focus on Aston Villa. Isaac’s situation will remain clear for a while, and it will continue to be.”
Hau also hinted that he continued to talk to his important man about the potential return, saying, “I had a great relationship with him, you need all the players and their partnerships. I have to work really close with the players for his profits.
“I didn’t think Isaac would do it without his teammates, his supporters, either. I know he’s an intelligent person. I want him to play and train him, but the details of our conversations remain private.”
Meanwhile, the Magpie continues to pursue Brentford’s forward Yoan Wissa, having missed many targets. He is recognized as a potential replacement for Isaac, but Hau argued that it was not.
“We need a striker regardless of the situation at ISAK,” he said. He also labeled the transfer market as “as tight as I know it before.” However, he was positive about Jacob Ramsey’s villa contract, despite admitting that even if the midfielder was completed in time, he was unlikely to feature against his old club.
“I’m really happy, this summer was a slow burner,” added Howe. “We tried to act early, but that didn’t happen. Then you’re trying to turn things around in a positive way.”
