‘Open and available’ – Eddie Howe reveals Liverpool Alexander Isak ‘reality’ and drops Benjamin Sesko transfer hint
Eddie Howe Reaffirms Commitment to Isak Amid Liverpool Interest: “We Still See a Future for Him at Newcastle”
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has reiterated his belief that Alexander Isak still has a future at St. James’ Park, despite growing speculation about the striker’s potential move to Liverpool. Howe confirmed that the Magpies had indeed received a formal bid from the Merseyside club, but the offer was promptly rejected by the Newcastle hierarchy.
The news of Liverpool’s substantial bid for the Swedish forward emerged shortly after Howe had concluded high-level discussions with Newcastle officials in Seoul, where the club is currently based for pre-season preparations. According to Chronicle Live, the proposed transfer was never seriously entertained, with Newcastle standing firm in their desire to retain one of their most prized assets.
Addressing the media, Howe acknowledged Liverpool’s interest:
“From where I stand, I’m quite detached from the negotiations happening back home. I was informed yesterday that a bid had come in, but it had already been turned down before I had even heard about it.”
The head coach went on to express his ongoing support for Isak and indicated that he remains hopeful of seeing the striker back in black and white when the season begins.
“We still support Alex in every possible way. My hope is to see him play in a Newcastle shirt again,” Howe added.
Speculation about Isak’s future has intensified, particularly following reports that the 24-year-old is currently training in Spain at former club Real Sociedad’s facilities rather than with the Newcastle squad. When asked about Isak’s exact whereabouts, Howe admitted:
“Honestly, I found out through the media like everyone else. So from that angle, it’s hard for me to provide any detailed insight.”
The Magpies are also said to be actively pursuing new attacking options, with reports from Slovenia suggesting that Newcastle are preparing an £80 million offer for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Šeško, as they attempt to beat Manchester United to his signature.
When quizzed about the validity of the Sesko rumours, Howe remained tight-lipped:
“I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but while I’m aware of what’s going on behind the scenes, I’m not directly handling those discussions. My focus today has been on our two training sessions and media duties. I find out about most of this after it’s happened.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the club’s striker situation, Howe made it clear that Newcastle are aiming to add quality rather than quantity to the squad.
“We want to bring the best players we can to Newcastle. That’s always been our model. We’re looking to improve by adding quality, and every scenario is on the table,” he said.
When pressed further on whether there is a possibility of Newcastle signing Šeško while also retaining Isak, Howe did not rule anything out.
“I see all possibilities as open. If we want to reach the level we’re aiming for, we have to be bold in improving our squad. That sometimes means holding onto top talent while also bringing in new faces.”
On whether Liverpool’s pursuit of Isak had caused disruption, Howe remained diplomatic:
“It’s tough. You never know what’s going to happen in these situations. There’s always speculation and hypotheticals in the transfer window. The reality is that Liverpool submitted a bid, and we rejected it. Beyond that, we just have to see what unfolds. We try to handle our business professionally and respectfully. I can’t speak for how other clubs operate.”
As the transfer window enters its crucial final stages, Newcastle remain active in the market despite what Howe described as a “challenging summer.” The club has missed out on several targets, but the manager remains optimistic that reinforcements will arrive before the window closes.
“We’ve had our fair share of setbacks in this window, missing out on players for various reasons, but we remain competitive. The goal hasn’t changed — we want to improve this squad, and we’ll keep pushing until the very end.”