Eddie Howe makes major Alexander Isak admission after Liverpool bid - 'I was made aware'

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe says he has not given up on keeping star man Alexander Isak this summer after Liverpool made a first bid for the Swede on Friday.

But he has admitted that he is finding out some of the information on the saga via the media, with Isak having been training alone in Spain this week while his Magpies teammates are on tour in Asia.

Speaking during a press conference in South Korea ahead of facing Spurs tomorrow, Howe outlined the latest on the situation, including confirming that Newcastle has rejected a bid from Liverpool. That offer is believed to be worth around $146 million (£110 million).

"I was made aware of a bid yesterday and that bid was turned down, all before I’d even heard about it," Howe said. "People back in England are dealing with the situation.

"I don’t know what happens next. From our perspective, we still support Alex in every way. My wish is that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again.

"I know where he is, really, through the media. From that perspective, it’s difficult for me to go into any kind of detail. The situation is far from ideal and is quite complex.

"In terms of trying to upset players and all that kind of stuff, from my perspective, we can only talk about our conduct. We try to do things in the right way.

"Signing players is always complex. We just try to do what we think is right. I can’t talk about other clubs, that’s not for me to say."

Newcastle is trying to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford and Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. But it has failed to bring in the likes of Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Liam Delap already this summer in what has been a frustrating period for the club.

Losing Isak without having a replacement lined up to enter the building would be a major risk for Howe, who is meant to be preparing for another season in the Champions League.

Keeping Isak against his wishes, however, would be a gamble of a different sort. The 25-year-old has made it clear to Newcastle that he would like to leave and has turned down approaches to sign a new contract in the North East.

Liverpool travels to Newcastle on the second matchday of the new season. That match at St James' Park is in just over three weeks' time, and could be a fiery encounter no matter which side Isak is playing for at that point in the transfer window.

Liverpool.com says: As it stands, there doesn't appear to be much point in submitting another bid for Isak. Newcastle needs to get a player or two in the door first, and then it might be more willing to negotiate.

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