Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has expressed confidence that the club would not allow star striker Alexander Isak to depart without first securing a replacement.
With transfer deadline day looming, speculation continues to swirl around the future of the Swedish international, who has become unsettled on Tyneside.
Isak, who is of Eritrean heritage, has made clear his frustrations at the club in recent weeks.
The 25-year-old issued a strongly worded statement claiming his relationship with Newcastle was “broken” and suggested promises made to him had not been fulfilled.
His push for an exit has intensified with Premier League champions Liverpool reportedly among the clubs monitoring his situation.
The Magpies host Liverpool at St James’ Park on Monday, August 25, in a fixture clouded by uncertainty over whether their leading forward will feature.
Howe acknowledged the strain but remained optimistic that Newcastle’s hierarchy will act decisively in the final days of the transfer window to safeguard the team’s attacking options.
“I don’t think the club will allow that situation to happen,” Howe told reporters. “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 progressing really well, but he’s got limited experience in the Premier League.”
Newcastle have pursued several attacking targets this summer, only to see them join rival Premier League sides.
That failure has placed greater urgency on resolving the Isak situation, with Howe insistent that the club cannot afford to enter the campaign undermanned in such a pivotal position.
For now, Newcastle face the daunting task of hosting the league’s reigning champions amid off-field turbulence that could define their season.
