Eddie Howe speaks on Alexander Isak’s future at Newcastle and sends a message to the board as the 2025/26 league season nears.
The striker has reportedly told the hierarchy he wants to leave the club, with Liverpool thought to be lining up a British record offer.
Isak didn’t travel with the squad for their tour in Singapore – it claimed he suffered a thigh injury on Monday – but following Howe’s comments at the team hotel on Saturday afternoon, it’s still not certain as to where Isak’s future lies.
▪️ #NUFC‘s “big decision to make” 🤔
▫️ No contact talks currently taking place ❌
▪️ Board ultimately to make the call ⚖️
▫️ But still “confident” striker will stay 🤞🗣️ Full Eddie Howe quotes on Alexander Isak’s future from here in Singapore: https://t.co/4h2HisMmzZ
— Chris Waugh (@ChrisDHWaugh) July 26, 2025
He stressed that each case is unique and handled individually, with decisions involving the ownership, board, and manager, prioritising the club’s overall interests, but noted that there has been no daily contact with the board.
Howe expressed confidence in the club’s decision-making process to advance Newcastle’s goals.
Regarding Isak, Howe hopes and remains confident the striker will stay, though he avoided firm commitments, acknowledging the unpredictability of football.
He described the transfer window as challenging, with Newcastle working on deals for multiple players, prioritising quality over quantity.
While Isak’s situation significantly influences the club’s transfer plans, Howe didn’t confirm or deny Isak’s desire to leave, keeping private any discussions and maintaining a positive relationship with the player, who is popular and has been exceptional at Newcastle.
Financially, Newcastle is in a strong position, with ambitions for success and squad improvement. No contract talks are currently active with Isak, whose deal runs until 2028, but these may occur post-transfer window if he remains.
Isak is currently in Newcastle for assessment of a thigh injury that emerged before a Celtic match and worsened, forcing him out of training.
Howe hopes for a swift recovery to see Isak back playing soon. The pre-season group remains focused and positive despite the situation.
THIS is journalism – an exceptional account of the Isak saga from @CraigHope_DM over on YouTube. 🎯
Put simply, there’s no #NUFC reporter out there on his level right now – and not many across the sport in general. 🤷🏼♂️
It’s a long one, but trust me – it’s SO worth the watch… pic.twitter.com/zdjv939697
— Magpie Media (@MagpieMediaX) July 25, 2025
🚨 EDDIE HOWE FULL QUOTES ON ALEXANDER ISAK 🚨
🤔 Extremely revealing stuff as NUFC boss admits “We have a decision to make” & says contract talks are NOT taking placehttps://t.co/ZMRaxzecQv
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) July 26, 2025
When asked about what happens when a player communicates their desire to leave, rather than specifically about Isak, Howe replied, per The Athletic: “I’ve experienced that many times and it’s never the same situation
“There’s loads of different things that can happen in that scenario.
“I’ve welcomed players back to the group, obviously sold players all throughout my management career, because that’s part of being a football manager. Every situation we take on an individual basis.
“But there’s a wider picture here. There’s a whole football club that has to make the decision. The ownership, together with the board of directors, especially with the money involved in modern day transfers. The manager of course has an opinion, but ultimately the decision will rest with the board.
“There’s always big decisions to make when you’re at Newcastle. I think that goes with the territory.
“I’m not actually having daily contact with anyone connected with the board. We’re out here. It’s been a whirlwind here in a sense of training and the intensity of what we’re doing.”
“I wouldn’t put a timescale on it,“ Howe said. ”With these situations, it has to be right for the football club, and obviously everything then is taken into context below that.
“But the club will make the right decision with all the information that it has, and ultimately to try and move the club forward in whatever way that is. Then it’s up to us then to make good decisions the other way and try and improve the squad as best we can.
“That’s what we’re trying to do, regardless of Alex’s situation. Of course, we want stability and we want the group to have a really good feeling. And I have to say, the feeling during pre-season has been as good as any other.
“So I don’t think we’re distracted. We’re here, we’re focused and we’re working hard.”
“I think you’re trying to put words in my mouth there” Howe said, when asked if he “expected” Isak to stay. “I said after Celtic, I certainly hope he stays. And I said I was confident that he’d stay.
“I don’t see anything that’s going to change that opinion of mine at the moment, but it’s football and who knows what the future may bring.”
Howe says the summer transfer window has been “challenging” for Newcastle but stressed that the club are working on deals for “multiple players across multiple positions”, however nothing is close., desiring “quality over quantity”.
Newcastle players speak on reports Alexander Isak is exploring potentially leaving the club
“Of course there’s things going on behind the scenes,“ Howe said. ”I mean he will be aware he’s in the news every day, and I’m sure that’s not easy for anyone in that situation.
“Conversations that happen between Alex and the club or Alex and myself will stay private for obvious reasons. We do share a really good relationship with him. He’s been magnificent for us for as long as he’s joined. He’s very popular in the dressing room.
“We’d love him to continue his journey at Newcastle, and all I would say on the broader picture is whatever happens has to be right for Newcastle.
“We’re in a very strong position financially. We’re determined to be successful. We are ambitious. We’ve got a great season ahead of us. We need to add to the squad and continue to improve, and the journey can continue in an upward trajectory.
“That’s what we all want, so that’s what we’re battling to try and achieve.”
Howe said that contract talks aren’t currently active with Isak, and adds they are expected to take place after the window closes, should Isak stay. His existing Newcastle deal runs until 2028.
“As far as I’m aware, I don’t think there are any contract talks taking place at the moment. That’ll be for a later date potentially,“ Howe continued.
“For now, with the situation as it is and the state of the window in the sense that it’s hurtling towards the end very quickly from our perspective, there’s still so much that could happen. Those contract talks potentially may take place at a later date.”
Of Isak’s injury situation, Howe said: ‘I’ve got no major update on that. He first mentioned his thigh just before the Celtic game. We assumed it would be a very minimal injury, nothing too serious. And then on the Monday after the Celtic game, he went in from training very early and didn’t feel right.
‘So he’s now in Newcastle getting that injury assessed and hopefully he’ll be back soon and playing in the black-and-white shirt. That’s what we all want to see.’
Here’s how fans reacted as Eddie Howe speaks on Isak’s future at Newcastle and sends a message to the board…
@RLNESS33: As much as Isak has been outstanding for us and NUFC outstanding for him. The one person I fear we won’t replace is Eddie. The club really need to get their act together and support him
@Whitby_MagNUFC: We need direction, our PSR problems last season were caused because of overspending, so that’s on those who ran the club since the takeover and the @premierleague cartel. The current situation is because of bad appointments.Let’s get the hierarchy right and go again. #nufc 🖤🤍
@S0uthernGe0rdie: This is a great move by Howe. Put this back on the ownership. Exactly who has caused this shambles of a window. If they sell him and don’t get Howe his replacements then Howe can come out and say he wasn’t backed.
@jonniegrieve: He sounds like a man who is frustrated but pragmatic and not about to walk away. I don’t think he has any doubts as to the commitment of the owners. #nufc
@thedudetalks80: Howe speaks like a man who’s made peace with impermanence. Players come and go, but the club must endure. In an era ruled by money, the real wisdom is knowing when to let go and when to fight to keep what truly matters. #NUFC
@thomashammond__: We are so lucky to have Howe man. Speaks so well all the time. #NUFC
@craig_426: First time someone has come out and defended the club, it’s always on Howe / Team and others need to step up and support them. Isak or no Isak we have a brilliant coach and team, give them the tools to kick on. They are what’s elite about this club.
@krnufc: Positive from Howe, but needs backing with quality signings now. Drawn out negotiations, penny pinching & narrowly missing out doesn’t cut it. We’ve had more than enough of that. IF Isak leaves, he leaves & we reinvest immediately. If he stays, great, because he’s class #NUFC
@gordonbennett12: As an outsider looking in, as we all are, Isak has to go. He will never recover his status with the fans. That said, WTF is going on behind the scenes with no CEO, DOF etc? PSR restricted of course but it really seems like the muppet show at the moment. #NUFC
@ToonMouthTyne: At this stage, I’d be less worried about convincing Isak to stay and more worried about convincing Eddie Howe to stay. The quotes from him this morning do not reflect well on the Club. He – like us – is absolutely fed up of the ponderous/inept way we conduct business. #NUFC
@JacobDocx: Don’t know how he manages to stay calm and so composed with the shit storm that goes on behind him. We are very very lucky to have him as our manager. Other managers would have left but he has worked miracles without structure or stability behind him. #NUFC
@kainnufc: #nufc really pissing me off now with their lack of professionalism. Europe has always been the goal, and we had it months ago. Why are we so ill-prepared for it in terms of squad depth? Should’ve been a priority to identify targets, contingencies, and wrapped them up early.
I don’t think we will ever appreciate how good this man is until he ultimately decides to leave. In all of the years supporting the club, only KK and Robson match the class, respect and understanding of the club. He needs backing
We would be nowhere without him #NUFC #WorEddie pic.twitter.com/ax3ymMYjYz
— ᴀᴊ (@chavdinho) July 26, 2025
