You are not going anywhere

Eight days have passed since Newcastle United rejected Liverpool’s 110 million pounds bid for Alexander Isak, and it looks that at least that much will pass before the Reds try their luck again. The reason is simple – The Magpies won’t let their best player go unless they find his replacement first and if Liverpool doesn’t up their bid significantly. Newcastle has clearly communicated that with Liverpool even before the first bid, stating that the starting sum in negotiations will be 120 million and they were on the point of being angry when the current England champion offered 110. So, a shaky truce has been agreed: The Reds won’t bid until the Magpies find a replacement. But even than, the price has to be right. This is not the same Newcastle who sold Andy Carroll to Liverpool on the last day of January transfer window without finding a suitable player instead.

Howe on Isak: "Now you have to earn the right to train with us"

But what is Isak doing currently? Well, he is still trying to force his way out, even though he was told the same as Liverpool – no transfer is possible until the club finds a replacement. He clearly lied about his thigh issue and went to Spain without a permission in order to get treatment so Eddie Howe removed him from the first-team training when the team returned from the Asian tour. The two talked and the Magpies boss obviously concluded that the player is unable to offer him what he wants from this players.

“We’ve had discussions and it’s clear at the moment we can’t have him involved with the group. I don’t know how long that will be for. Discussions between us have to remain private, but it’s clear I can’t involve him with the team at the moment. I want Alex to be playing today. I want him training tomorrow. We would love the player to be with us, let me make that absolutely clear. There is no part of me that does not want that outcome. But I don't see the current situation changing before Aston Villa. It's frustrating we're missing such an important part of our team” said Howe.

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And then during the day, The Telegraph opposite to all other reports actually wrote that the meeting with the player and the coach happened because Isak was told by the directors at Newcastle that he won't be allowed to leave in this transfer window. The PIF owners maintained what they were saying all along, but if the reports are true, will find out first hand what will be the consequences of that decision. According to this report, the Swede didn't accept the decision with good grace and that's why he was ordered to train away from the group by Howe, Not only will he be forced to stay, but the directors have said to be amazed by reports that he said to them a long time ago that he wants to leave. They are also very annoyed by Liverpool's approach so now they are flexing their muscles. The fact that most of the players marked as his replacements turned them down also doesn't work in Isak's favor as players like Wissa or Ollie Watkins are seen as replacements for Calum Wilson and not Isak.

What will happen now nobody knows for sure, not even the owners. If Liverpool comes back with an offer around 150 million and the Magpies find a younger player with potential which they can buy, maybe Isak will be allowed to leave after all. If not, he will stay for another season at St. James and will have to decide if he wants to go on strike, or he wants to come back to the group and play. That is why Eddie Howe was very gentle with the player, leaving the door open for him to eventually come back.

“He is here, so of course he has a future at Newcastle. Certainly, from our persecutive, everyone connected with the club, we would love to see him back with the team, but the situation has to be right for that to happen. He is here and he’s contracted to us, so as long as he’s in that position, there is of course a chance he could play for Newcastle again. But I don’t know what the future will hold” said Newcastle boss.