Eddie Howe creates Alexander Isak decision as Newcastle United push on with transfer bid
What does Newcastle stand to gain from Benjamin Sesko’s rumored desire to join Manchester United?
Eddie Howe is anticipated to meet with the Sweden striker in person for the first time in two weeks as Newcastle United makes a significant decision over Alexander Isak today.
Although Toon sources said this morning they had not yet received a final choice from the RB Leipzig player, it is in some ways crunch time for Isak and comes amid high-profile rumors that Benjamin Sesko has chosen Manchester United over the Magpies.
Even if it’s urgent to sign Sesko or another center-forward, Howe is making every effort to keep things under control, with Isak’s possible return to the senior squad at the top of his to-do list today.
Howe’s original goal for Isak, according to Chronicle Live, was for him to practice with the rest of the team before the Sela Cup matchups against Espanyol on Friday and Atletico Madrid on Saturday at St. James’ Park.
In interviews with Chronicle Live last week, Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon both expressed sympathy for the striker, so Howe is not worried that his teammates will be hostile to Isak’s return to the club.
Howe is well aware that Newcastle will be playing the two La Liga teams in front of their home crowd at St. James’ Park, regardless of the Isak and Sesko sagas. And as almost 100,000 Newcastle supporters witness the Magpies’ current state for the first time since May on their own turf, he wants the appropriate tone and message to be sent.
Howe decided not to have a press conference before any of the two games, but he will speak to reporters following both.
We know that Howe wants to basically force the striker to play based on fitness levels, but it also means that there won’t be any on-the-record comments about Isak in the run-up to the Espanyol match.
Isak’s agent Vlado Lemic is conspiring behind Newcastle’s back to get his player out of St. James’ Park, so any kind of Isak absence will send the team into a fresh transfer whirlpool and add gasoline to the fire.
However, the cruel truth is that Lemic has changed Isak’s head, and Newcastle doesn’t need to be reminded that he eventually wants to join Liverpool.
However, it will be more difficult for the Reds and Isak the longer Newcastle goes without a replacement, and the possibility of the Sweden striker wearing a black and white shirt again is still open.
Knowing that he would soon have to rely on his striker, Howe has so far refrained from taking a sledgehammer to him.
Despite the challenges facing Isak and Sesko, Newcastle is still making progress in their efforts to acquire a top-tier forward. Newcastle does have money to spend now that their PSR problems are resolved, according to the word from the boardroom at St. James’ Park.
“We are looking at the best players we can get,” Howe told us last week. We are only considering the best scenario accessible to us, in my opinion. That, in my opinion, is the only way we can maximize quality over number and get our desired outcome.
“As you are aware, this summer has been difficult. For a variety of reasons, we have missed out on numerous targets. However, until the window closes, we will continue to be fiercely competitive and work to get talented players for the team.”
Gonçalo Ramos, a striker for Paris St-Germain who Newcastle attempted to get from Benfica a few summers ago, is another possible target. The Champions League champions, however, demand at least €60 million for his services.
Newcastle is still interested in Brentford’s Yoane Wissa and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, but Howe is aware that neither player would be a suitable Isak substitute and that they would be replacing Callum Wilson if they did.
But time is running out, and Newcastle will have to act quickly to get a striker to begin the match against Aston Villa if Sesko moves to Manchester United as many now anticipate.
Before departing Seoul, Howe informed me: “There isn’t much time left (to get a player in for Villa).” Particularly when you take into account that you have to teach new person that enters how we play.
“And discuss the nuances of our work. It is difficult, and doing that right away is difficult for many.
“We are still active in the market and looking for players.”
The lack of a sporting director and a CEO does not help Newcastle, but insiders maintain that Howe can get prompt replies from the authorities when PIF officials are on his side, and that the desire levels inside the team are unquestionable.
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