Newcasle United manager Eddie Howe has revealed that his relationship with Alexander Isak deteriorated before the striker departed the club this summer.
Isak, completed a British record £125 million move to Premier League champions Liverpool on transfer deadline day, after refusing to play for the Magpies.
The Sweden striker was left out of the club’s preseason tour of Asia amid transfer interest from the Reds, who had an earlier offer of £110 million rejected.
However, Isak refused to participate any further for Newcastle and missed their opening three matches of the season before finally getting his move on deadline day.
“Alex and I always enjoyed a great relationship. I loved working with him and I hope he loved working with us.
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”, Howe stated.
“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”, he added.
Newcastle signed Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart for £69 million, before another move was made to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford.
However, Wissa suffered an injury while on international duties with DR Congo and will be out for this weekend’s clash against Wolves.
“Unfortunately not, no, so he won’t make this game”, Howe continued.
“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.
I don’t know currently as I sit here and I think he’ll go away for tests and maybe see a specialist to see”, the Newcastle manager concluded.
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