Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has delivered a stern warning to star striker Alexander Isak, insisting he will only focus on players fully committed to the club. This comes amid growing uncertainty over the Swedish forward’s future, with reports suggesting he is pushing for a move to Liverpool.
The tension escalated after Newcastle’s dramatic late defeat to Liverpool, where 16-year-old substitute Rio Ngumoha struck a 100th-minute winner. Despite playing with ten men following Anthony Gordon’s first-half red card, Newcastle showed immense fight to level the match at 2-2 before being undone at the very end.
Isak, who has been training separately from the squad, was absent from St James’ Park. It is understood that minority owner Jamie Reuben held discussions with the striker earlier in the day, although Howe maintained he was not involved in talks concerning the player’s future.
“I’ve been preparing the team, giving my energy to players who want to play for Newcastle,” Howe said after the defeat. “We want clarity on the situation because Alex’s quality could have made a difference in these games.”
Adding intrigue to the night was the presence of Newcastle chairman Yasir al-Rumayyan, who rarely attends matches but was seen alongside other representatives of the Public Investment Fund. Howe admitted he did not know the reason for the visit but stressed that the owners ultimately control key decisions at the club.
Despite the bitter loss, the Newcastle manager praised the fighting spirit of his side. “These players make me proud. They are deeply connected to the club and want to be here,” he said. “Naturally, I want players who are committed to Newcastle.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Arne Slot chose not to be drawn into speculation regarding Isak’s potential move. Instead, he focused on his team’s resilience in a chaotic game. “It was more about character than tactics,” he admitted. Slot also reserved praise for match-winner Ngumoha, highlighting his composure and finishing ability at just 16 years old.
The Isak saga now hangs over Newcastle as the transfer window edges closer to its conclusion. With both sides trading accusations of “broken promises,” the coming days could determine whether the forward remains on Tyneside or seals a dramatic switch to Anfield.
