Eddie Howe breaks his silence on the breakdown of his relationship with Alexander Isak before he forced £125m transfer to Liverpool

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Eddie Howe has publicly addressed the breakdown of his relationship with Alexander Isak following the striker's record-breaking transfer from Newcastle United to Liverpool for £125 million, the highest fee ever paid by a British club.

Howe revealed that their relationship soured after Isak refused to train in an attempt to force through the transfer on deadline day in August. This move shocked Newcastle officials and fans, exacerbated by Isak's public statement accusing the club of breaking promises and claiming a loss of trust. Howe, however, denied the existence of any prior agreement that Isak could leave if a Champions League club made an offer.

Despite the controversy, Howe emphasized that he and Isak initially shared a strong and mutually beneficial bond. Howe stated, "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."

The situation highlights the challenges faced by Newcastle in retaining top talent amid lucrative offers from bigger clubs. Howe’s comments mark his first public acknowledgment of the tensions surrounding Isak's exit and provide insight into the difficulties the club experienced during the transfer saga.

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PP