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Eddie Howe has said he cannot envisage a scenario where Alexander Isak leaves Newcastle United this summer and the club does not sign a replacement in the transfer market.
That would certainly be the worst-case situation for the Magpies, who lined up with Anthony Gordon as a central striker against Aston Villa last week and are likely to do so again when Liverpool travels to St James’ Park on Monday.
Newcastle allowed Callum Wilson to leave at the end of last season while attempts to bring in a new no.9 have failed throughout the window. Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike have all opted to join sides elsewhere in the Premier League, leaving Newcastle in position where its only recognized striker is an inexperienced William Osula, who has netted just one Premier League goal.
With Isak still absent ahead of the Liverpool clash, something Howe confirmed on Friday, and training away from the rest of his team-mates, there is certainly a feeling of uncertainty around the club with the transfer deadline just eight days away.
But under ambitious Saudi Arabian owners, Howe said he won’t be left in a scenario where his squad lacks an established striker after September 1.
“I don’t think the club will allow that situation to happen,” the former Bournemouth boss said ahead of the Liverpool encounter.
“We certainly can’t go through the season with no recognised striker at the football club – and that’s no disrespect to Will Osula.
“I think he’s doing really well and he’s progressing really well, but he’s got limited experience in the Premier League, although I’m really happy with his career progression.
“But Alex at the moment would be the only striker we have with Premier League history of goals and appearances and starts, so we can’t leave ourselves in that position.”
Howe said on Friday that the prospect of reintegrating Isak into the squad remains possible, insisting he would love to call upon the Swede’s services on Monday. That won’t be an option though, which will mean deploying a winger in a central role.
Gordon had some good moments against Villa last week, and Howe believes he can offer a real threat from a no.9 position.
“I don’t think anyone can fill Alex’s boots and Anthony will know that himself. He’s not trying to be Alex, he’s got to be himself,” said the Newcastle head coach.
“I think if he’d scored against Aston Villa, you’d go, ‘That’s the perfect number nine performance’. I think he had seven shots in the game, he looked a threat, he got a man sent off.”
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