Newcastle United set to provide official Alexander Isak update amid Liverpool speculation
Newcastle United are set to discover in the next 24 hours if Alexander Isak is on the plane to Asia.
Alexander Isak is expected to be part of the Newcastle United squad that flies to Singapore on Thursday morning.
Speculation surrounding Isak’s future has been widespread in the past week following contact from Liverpool, though the Magpies insist no official approach has been made.
It was suggested that the Reds would be willing to pay a British record £120million for Isak, while there have also been reports of interest from the Saudi Pro League. However, Newcastle have been consistent in their message that the Swede is not for sale.
Why Alexander Isak missed Celtic game
Newcastle left Isak and Joelinton out of the squad for Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Celtic due to ‘managing their minutes’. Joelinton was present at Parkhead and watched on from the stands. Isak, however, was left at home.
Speaking after the game, Howe insisted Isak’s absence was down to fitness reasons but admitted the speculation was part of it.
“Alex has trained this week and he's fine, but we didn't want to take the risk with him today,” Howe said. “Alex was with us all the way through Austria, but today, with all the speculation and things that are going on, I decided to send him home.
“It's purely the last thing Alex wants if he's not playing, is to be sat in the stand. Being under that scrutiny, I don't think that's fair to the player. So, if he wasn't going to play today, which we mutually agreed, he needs a little bit more training time, then it's best that he's not here.”
Alexander Isak spotted training alone after injury scare
On Tuesday, shots then emerged from the club’s training ground of the Swede international training away from the rest of the players, sending fans, particularly Liverpool ones, into a frenzy online.
But as exclusively revealed by NewcastleWorld, Isak had a scan this week, having felt some discomfort in his thigh. The scan is believed to have come back clear, but as a precaution, the player was put through his own session, which is common practice in these situations.
This was also the same with Lewis Hall, who trained away from the main group as he recovers from foot surgery. Joelinton is thought to have been involved in full training.
Alexander Isak expected to be on Singapore flight
Unless the injury is a real issue, which we’re told it’s not, then there is nothing to suggest Isak won’t be on the flight to Singapore, where Newcastle face Arsenal at the weekend before then heading over to Seoul to face the K-League All-Stars and Tottenham Hotspur.
When asked after Celtic if he expects Isak to travel with the squad to Asia, Howe replied: “Yes, absolutely, yes.”
Whilst the noise has undoubtedly been unsettling, the top and bottom line is the Magpies have zero intention of parting ways with their star striker. Isak remains happy at St James’ Park, according to Howe, who also expects the 25-year-old to stay.
“I think it's difficult for me to give 100% clarity on any player,” Howe said. “I'd never sit here and do that because it's football and you never know what could happen. All I can say is that Alex is happy at Newcastle.
“He loves the players that he plays with, the staff, the team. I've never had any issue with him other than really enjoying seeing his talent and seeing him express himself. Certainly, I'm confident that he's going to be here at the start of the season.”