Eddie Howe: Alexander Isak's Was A 'Turning Point' In Our Relationship

Last Updated:September 12, 2025, 18:40 IST

Eddie Howe admits his relationship with Alexander Isak changed after Isak's strike to force a Rs 950 crore move to Liverpool.

Alexander Isak has transferred to Liverpool in a record deal. (AP Photo)

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has admitted that his relationship with former striker Alexander Isak changed after the latter went on a strike to force a move to Liverpool.

Isak went to Liverpool in a deal worth around Rs 950 crore, more than twice the price he joined the Magpies for from Real Sociedad in 2021. In four years at the club, he became one of the best, if not the best, centre-forwards in the world, and a legend in Newcastle for taking them to the League Cup trophy last year.

His camp said they had an agreement with the club to let him go in the summer and refused to train when Newcastle rejected Liverpool’s initial approaches. It became a messy saga, with both parties using the media to push their contrasting stances, before eventually Newcastle stamped the deal on deadline day.

“Alex and I always enjoyed a great relationship. I loved working with him and I hope he loved working with us," Howe told reporters on Friday, as quoted by AFP. “It was mutually beneficial. We helped him become the player that he in part is today, and he helped us as a team achieve some unbelievable milestones. He was part of a very successful team. But to give you a bit more on that, the moment he went on strike, our relationship did change. I think that was probably a turning point in our relationship. Communication became difficult from that point onwards. I won’t go into any more detail than that."

Newcastle used the Isak money to sign two strikers, Nick Woltemade from Germany and Yoane Wissa from English club Brentford. Howe revealed that Wissa has picked up an injury and Woltemade is now expected to start in the club’s weekend game against Wolves.

“I saw him (Wissa) for the first time yesterday, he’s feeling the effects of the injury he sustained just before he came off, so we’re going to have to see how he is," Howe said. “His ankle swelled up at half-time and he had to come off and, unfortunately, I think he’ll be missing until the next international break, so that’s a big blow."

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