With Liverpool wrapping up a deal for Ekitiké worth a reported €95 million (£82.3 million, $110.5 million), the Reds appear to be out of the race for Isak this summer, while Newcastle’s mammoth price tag of at least £120 million ($161 million) drastically limits the number of teams capable of funding such a deal.

Howe was also clear about the player’s value to the team. “He is absolutely central to what we’re trying to do. He’s irreplaceable in many ways and we are desperate to keep him,” he said.