Saudi owners make 'unusual' move to bypass 'blind-sided' Howe over Isak at Newcastle
Eddie Howe may be powerless over Alexander Isak's future as the Newcastle United owners get involved at St James' Park.
Injury was initially cited as the reason for the star striker's absence from the Magpies' pre-season tour, facing Arsenal, K-League All Stars, Tottenham, Espanyol, and Atletico Madrid over the coming days.
Now, it has become clear that transfer speculation has turned the player's head this summer, especially after Football Insider revealed that Liverpool had launched a £130million bid for his signature.
An entire Premier League transfer race has emerged, and it is certainly no surprise, with the 25-year-old sensation boasting 62 goals and 10 assists in 109 appearances across the last three seasons.
Newcastle have been very clear that Isak is not for sale this summer, but with a possible British record transfer fee floating about, and the player looking for an exit, important figures are getting involved.
Newcastle United blind-sided by Alexander Isak bombshell
According to The Telegraph (25 July), club chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund (PIF) are set to buck their own trend over Isak's confusing situation.
The ownership are to get involved, which is reportedly "unusual" in itself, deciding what happens next in the complex saga, as the Sweden international pushes for a move away from St James' Park.
Given the situation, PIF want to take the lead rather than leave it to Howe to figure out, with the manager and the rest of his squad said to be "blind-sided" by the news of their star striker exploring his options after they arrived in Singapore.
Eddie Howe to suffer further losses at St James' Park
Football Insider verdict
Pressure continues to build on Howe's shoulder, and Isak's exit is likely to be the straw that breaks the camel's back, with the Magpies missing out on several transfer targets already.
Joao Pedro joined Chelsea on a £60m deal [Sky Sports], Jarell Quansah signed for Bayer Leverkusen, while the Reds also hijacked a deal for Hugo Ekitike, and Man City stole Burnley's James Trafford from under their noses.
Football Insider understands that Newcastle target Marc Guehi is increasingly likely to join Liverpool, with the Eagles pushing to sign Ousmane Diomande, and that is another blow to Howe's plans.
The only incoming so far is Anthony Elanga on a £55m deal from Nottingham Forest [BBC Sport], but he will not be enough to cover the gap left by Isak's looming exit at St James' Park.
Furthermore, any interest in Benjamin Sesko could be made obsolete by Chelsea this summer, with the Blues targeting the striker's teammates, leaving the Magpies with limited options in the market.
With Champions League qualification, Howe will have been hoping to build and improve after last season, but the squad only appear to be going backwards with the missed transfers so far.