Alexander Isak's relationship with Newcastle United has plunged into crisis. After he voluntarily expressed his desire to leave the club, manager Eddie Howe ordered him to train separately from the team and did not invite him to the team-building event organized for players and their families.
The event, a BBQ gathering, was held after the first day of training following the team's return from their Asian pre-season tour. Despite Isak only having a minor thigh injury, the club arranged for him to attend the training ground for treatment only after the event concluded, clearly excluding him from the group.
Just a few days ago, Eddie Howe stated publicly that Isak needed to "regain the right to train with the team" because he had missed pre-season matches and his future was filled with uncertainty. Howe has always valued team spirit, regularly holding gatherings involving players and their families each season to enhance team cohesion. However, Isak's attitude during the pre-season period disappointed Howe, who emphasized after the Asian tour: “No player can have a negative attitude and still expect to train normally. You have to earn your opportunities through performance.”
Since joining in 2022, Isak has been one of Newcastle's standout performers, but this farce has seemingly soured relations between the two parties. He was sent back early from Newcastle's first pre-season match against Celtic and subsequently explicitly stated his desire to leave this summer, though he has three years remaining on his contract with the club.
The club claims Isak missed the Asian trip due to a minor injury, but in reality, he traveled to Spain and underwent individual training at his former club Real Sociedad. Eddie Howe revealed that he only learned through the media that Isak had gone to Spain, further escalating the situation.
Newcastle values Isak at as much as £150 million and insists it will not lower the price. Meanwhile, Liverpool is pushing forward with Darwin Núñez's transfer to free up space for subsequent signings.
