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Eddie Howe has confessed that the drawn-out transfer saga involving Alexander Isak put his Newcastle squad to the test.
The 25-year-old made a deadline day switch to Liverpool, signing a six-year deal and setting a new British record for a transfer fee. Isak's move to Anfield concluded a protracted 55-day saga during which he effectively went on strike and issued a scathing statement declaring his relationship with Newcastle over.
In a social media post dated Tuesday, August 19, the forward accused Newcastle of breaking promises and presenting a version of events that did not accurately reflect his situation. However, now that Isak has finalized his move to Liverpool, Howe is keen to refocus on the task at hand, particularly as his Newcastle players are still seeking their first Premier League win of the season.
"There is a huge frustration, as we know we are judged against everything we deliver," he shared with the Chronicle Live.
"And that is why the players have handled it all really well, it would have been very easy for them to feel differently about the situation. They have taken ownership of their own performances, they have viewed it absolutely brilliantly."
Reflecting on the Isak saga, Howe admitted: "I don't think every squad would have been able to blank it out and carry on and make the team grow from the experience.
"That is always the challenge we have to be better for what happened and not succumb to it, that is the challenge ahead now."
Isak arrived at Newcastle in a transfer from Real Sociedad in 2022 and netted 27 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions last season.
However, with his departure, Newcastle has bolstered its attacking options during the summer transfer window by bringing in Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.
Nevertheless, Howe has cautioned that Newcastle's record signing, Woltemade, will require time to adapt to Premier League soccer following his switch from Stuttgart.
He remarked: "There will be a period of adjustment, so we all have to be very understanding of that.
"It is difficult for players to just to come in. He has not had a pre-season with us, and I love every player to experience that because your learning is a lot quicker.
"But I think he has qualities that translate across anyway, he is very good technically.
"He is very good around the box, he scores goals, and I think that will translate."
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