Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says that lifting the Carabao Cup would ram the words of the club’s transfer agitators back down their throats.
The head coach takes his Magpies into the first leg of the semi-final clash hoping to keep the second leg of the tie alive and kicking at St James’ Park. With Alexander Isak arguably the most in-form striker in the country right now, he has been an easy target for pundits who are being pummelled with questions on the January transfer window.
On the eve of Howe’s Press conference, former Republic of Ireland and Crystal Palace star Clinton Morrison was the latest pundit to talk up a bid for Isak from tonight’s opponents Arsenal. Gunners fan Morrison told Sky Sports: “Isak is my favourite striker. Go and break the bank for Isak.
“He is the complete centre-forward. We (with fellow pundit Jay Bothroyd) had this conversation off air and Newcastle won’t like it because they’re going for the top four.
“Newcastle fans are going to shout at me. Even though you want to sign him in January, you aren’t going to get him.”
Bothroyd, another Arsenal supporter, said: “What I would say is that all Arsenal fans talk about Arsenal being a massive club. You know what massive clubs can do? Go out and get Isak. Massive clubs can go and get Isak.
“Look at when Man United were dominating, they went and got whoever they wanted, they want and got Robin Van Persie from Arsenal.
“I know the circumstances were a bit different but ultimately Arsenal are a massive club and you should still be able to go and get players off Newcastle.
“Newcastle are on a trajectory of being a big club. They have the Saudis behind them that can invest money. But right now, Arsenal are a bigger club than Newcastle and if Arsenal are serious about winning titles they need someone like Isak.”
Howe has already had his say on Paul Merson’s comments from Sky Sports last week in which the Gunners legend was heard discussing the prospect of cherry picking Isak from Newcastle’s clutches. But he feels that knocking out Arsenal then ultimately going all the way in the Carabao Cup can help hold on to big stars.
Howe said: “It (winning the cup) would no doubt help us in every respect. But we can’t concern ourself with the outcomes.
“It’s more, “Right, now we have Arsenal”. All of our focus is going on to Tuesday’s game. Then we put it to bed and focus on the FA Cup.”
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