'No chance' - Newcastle United issue official Alexander Isak update amid Liverpool approach

Alexander Isak won’t be joining up with Newcastle United for their pre-season tour of South Korea.

The Sweden international has told Newcastle he wants to leave this summer amid interest from Liverpool but the club say he has been left on Tyneside due to a minor groin issue.

Newcastle flew out to Singapore on Thursday and rounded off their short visit with a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday. Eddie Howe’s side now travel to Seoul, where they will spend the week, facing the K-League All Stars on Wednesday and Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak will at home

Martin Dubravka will link up with the squad having flown separately over the weekend but there is “no chance” of Isak doing the same, according to head coach Eddie Howe.

In Isak’s absence, Will Osula led the line for 75 minutes against Arsenal before the young Dane was replaced by 18-year-old Sean Neave.

When asked about Isak’s injury prior to the Arsenal game, Howe said: “I've got no major update on that. He first mentioned his thigh just before the Celtic game. We assumed it would be a very minimal injury, nothing too serious. And then on the Monday after the Celtic game, he went in from training very early and didn't feel right.

“So he's now in Newcastle getting that injury assessed and hopefully he'll be back soon and playing in the black-and-white shirt. That's what we all want to see.”

Newcastle United response to Alexander Isak speculation amid Liverpool interest

Addressing Isak’s future on Saturday, Howe said: “Of course there's things going on behind the scenes (with Alex). He will be aware he's in the news every day, and I'm sure that's not easy for anyone in that situation.

“Conversations that happen between Alex and the club or Alex and myself will stay private for obvious reasons. We do share a really good relationship with him.

“He's been magnificent for us and he’s very popular in the dressing room. We'd love him to continue his journey at Newcastle. I certainly hope he stays. And I said (last weekend) I was confident that he'd stay. I don't see anything that's going to change that opinion of mine at the moment, but it's football and who knows what the future may bring.

“All I would say on the broader picture is whatever happens has to be right for Newcastle. We're in a very strong position financially. We're determined to be successful. We are ambitious. We've got a great season ahead of us. We need to add to the squad and continue to improve, and the journey can continue in an upward trajectory.”

It has been reported that Liverpool are preparing a British record bid for Isak, which is likely to be accelerated if Luis Diaz joins Bayern Munich.

Howe added: “I wouldn't put a timescale on it. I think with these situations it has to be right for the football club, and everything then is taken into context below that.

“But the club will make the right decision with all the information that it has, and ultimately to try and move the club forward in whatever way that is. Then it's up to us to make good decisions the other way and try and improve the squad as best we can. That’s what we're trying to do, regardless of Alex's situation.

“But I think there's a wider picture here. There's a whole football club that has to make the decision. The ownership, together with the board of directors, especially with the money involved in modern day transfers. The manager of course has an opinion, but ultimately the decision will rest with the board.”

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