Newcastle United are no strangers to drama, but the saga surrounding Alexander Isak’s high-profile transfer to Liverpool has truly set tongues wagging across the Premier League. With Eddie Howe breaking his silence on the matter, fans and pundits alike are getting a clearer picture of how a relationship that once flourished between player and manager ultimately fractured under the weight of ambition, opportunity, and a record-breaking transfer fee.
It all began in the shadows of the 2025-2026 season. Alexander Isak, the Swedish striker who had become a talismanic figure for Newcastle since his £63 million arrival from Real Sociedad in 2022, was suddenly absent. Not just from the pitch, but from the club’s preseason tour to Singapore and South Korea. Instead of sharing the camaraderie of training sessions and team hotels, Isak found himself training alone, isolated from his teammates. The reason? A looming transfer to Liverpool, one that would eventually shatter British transfer records at either £125 million or £130 million, depending on the source—but either way, a sum that left jaws on the floor.
For Eddie Howe, the club’s head coach, the events of this summer marked a turning point not just for Newcastle’s squad, but for his own relationship with the striker. “Alex and I always enjoyed a great relationship,” Howe confessed in his first press conference since the transfer. “I loved working with him. I hope he enjoyed working with us. It was mutually beneficial. We helped him become the player he in part is today and he helped us as a team achieve some unbelievable milestones and was part of a very successful team.”
But as Howe candidly admitted, things changed the moment Isak went on strike to force through his move. “The moment he went on strike our relationship did change and 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.” Howe’s words paint a picture of a bond tested by the realities of modern football—where loyalty and ambition often collide.
Isak’s absence was keenly felt. Newcastle, having turned down an initial £110 million bid from Liverpool, found themselves navigating the opening weeks of the new season without a senior striker. The club’s search for a replacement was fraught with frustration, as targets like Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko, and Joao Pedro all slipped through their fingers, choosing moves elsewhere. The pressure was mounting, and the clock was ticking.
Eventually, Newcastle moved decisively. The Magpies secured the signature of Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart for £69 million, and lined up a deal for Yoane Wissa from Brentford at £55 million. Yet, even these new arrivals couldn’t immediately fill the void left by Isak—especially with Wissa sidelined due to a knee injury sustained on international duty with DR Congo. “Unfortunately not, no, so he won’t make this game,” Howe said when asked about Wissa’s availability for the upcoming clash against Wolves. “I saw him 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.” With Wissa’s absence, and with Anthony Gordon suspended and midfielder Jacob Ramsey also out injured until after the October international break, Newcastle’s options up front were looking perilously thin.
Woltemade, a 23-year-old Germany international, is now primed for his debut at St James’ Park. Howe has called for patience as the new striker attempts to settle into the team and the Premier League’s relentless rhythm. “I think it would have been impossible to have replaced Alex like-for-like. There’s no other player like Alex, he was totally unique. He had his qualities and I think it’s important we don’t compare whoever we bring in to Alex, because I think that’s very difficult to do. I think each player that comes in is an individual in their own right and has their own strengths and weaknesses. There will be a process where we have to mould ourselves to them, and vice-versa.”
The transfer saga has also prompted deeper reflections within the club about what it takes to build a winning team. Howe emphasized the importance of bringing in players who truly want to be at Newcastle, highlighting past successes with signings like Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, and Kieran Trippier—players who joined when the club was in a far less glamorous position. “It’s absolutely crucial. It’s very difficult to work with players that don’t want to be at any football club. For me, it’s one of the most important things you look for in a player, especially when recruiting players. You can look at the ability and the person but if they are unsure whether to come and whether this is the right club for them, that leaves the transfer a very difficult one to complete.”
Despite the turbulence, Howe remains optimistic about the culture he’s building at Newcastle. “That’s what we want to do. We want to create an environment and home for them that they love being at. But I would say Alex was very much part of that and loved his time here so I don’t think that was the issue. I think the issue for him was more when the other club came [in], that then changed his thought process. I never had a day where Alex didn’t look like he enjoyed being at Newcastle. 100%.”
For Newcastle fans, the coming weeks will be a test of patience and belief. With a depleted squad and a new-look attack, Howe’s men face the challenge of maintaining momentum in the Premier League while integrating fresh faces into the fold. The wounds from Isak’s departure may still be raw, but the club’s focus is firmly on the future.
As for Isak, he now steps into the Anfield spotlight, with Liverpool supporters eager to see if the Swedish striker can live up to his hefty price tag and deliver the goals that could power a new era of success. Only time will tell whether the move pays off for both player and club. For Newcastle, the story is far from over—the next chapter begins against Wolves, with new heroes waiting in the wings.
