Newcastle striker Alexander Isak is pushing for a move to Liverpool and Toon boss Eddie Howe has made a decision over his involvement in their upcoming friendlies
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has performed a U-turn over Alexander Isak, with the striker now NOT expected to feature in their upcoming friendly matches amid Liverpool's ongoing interest in signing him.
Isak missed Newcastle's tour of Asia and was the subject of a huge bid from Liverpool that Newcastle ultimately rejected. However, the Reds are set to reignite their interest in Isak once Darwin Nunez's move to Al-Hilal is complete.
Isak is currently training away from the first-team squad, but it had been previously suggested that Howe was ready to select him for Newcastle's upcoming pre-season friendlies against Espanyol and Atletico Madrid.
However, Howe has decided not to pick Isak for either of those games, as first reported by the Daily Mail. It's understood Newcastle are sticking to their stance that they will only sell Isak if they have his replacement lined up.
Newcastle value the 25-year-old at Β£150million and have already missed out on two potential replacements. Hugo Ekitike ended up signing for Liverpool, while Benjamin Sesko is on the verge of joining Manchester United.
When asked about Isak's future earlier this week, Howe said: "You have to earn the right to train with us. We are Newcastle United. The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad - you have to act in the right way.
"So that is also at play here. We will make sure that any player does that to earn the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal.
"Of course I'd like him to be (there), but whether he will I don't know at this moment in time. We have been here with the time difference, preparing for training and for games. Other people have been dealing with that situation back at home."
Newcastle are now weighing up moves for a number of forwards, including Nicolas Jackson, Yoane Wissa and Ollie Watkins.
"We are looking at the best players we can get. We are only looking at the best we can get, I see all situations open and available to us," Howe said. "I feel that is the only way we are going to get where we want to go, which is to maximise quality over quantity. It has been a challenging summer as you know. We have missed out on loads of different targets for different reasons.
"But we are still very competitive and we are still in there trying to bring good players to the club, that won't change until the window shuts."
ziscilmpy
1
Isak should come to Liverpool . Is there any problem there
jutdkrty
0
we need him in Liverpool
Dohdmnpuy
0
give Newcastle fc Darwin Nunez in exchange with Isak and add ons
Buunoprs
1
Players come and go. It's pointless to cling to them and make them unhappy.
Zandiloty
2
let him come to the best team and win trophies
kmuguna
2
Howe has no say at magpies. The Saudi owners with petrol money don't respect anybody
Zidbdeily
0
assuming they sold Isak to Liverpool ekitike would have been their player by now because Liverpool will sign him again they want to replace him but don't want to sell.
roaacdlu
2
The Reds should walk away from this deal. he's not worth 150.
Nipckopstz
1
sell isak so saudi team better
someone is afraid of LFC
laknopruz
1
sell isak so saudi team better
That's not how it works kids . If club can do that , your club Manutd already done that more early.
wimlmpru
0
sell isak so saudi team better
SGTSingam
3
Hello Eddie.... How now π
niaenorstz
0
I think the handling of Isak's potential move away from Newcastle United is one of the reasons Benjamin Sesko decided to join MU instead of them. If you get (or even develop) a good player and try to cling on him by overpricing him, other good players are likely to avoid you as a club, because you will be viewed as a stumbling block to their progress!
well said. there's no better reason than this.. players come and go, but them it's hard they fail to realize that..
Naddemnruz
3
What club owners should realize is that the players talk to each other and words get around. The player wants to leave let him be. You promise players improve contract then ignore it and the player wants to move on you block his path by over pricing him. They will be lucky if any world class striker wants to sign for them. The players are looking at more than money.
bamadiloty
0
Better for him! Newcastle United are now rebranded as "SUMMER OF REJECTION"[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh] I feel so sorry for them though ππππ
Same as Man U, you have been rejected a lot this summer
mapbcelt
1
Newcastle couldn't sign a birthday card
bayabikpr
6
I think the handling of Isak's potential move away from Newcastle United is one of the reasons Benjamin Sesko decided to join MU instead of them. If you get (or even develop) a good player and try to cling on him by overpricing him, other good players are likely to avoid you as a club, because you will be viewed as a stumbling block to their progress!
daccimnoru
6
if they make it difficult for to leave then its always going to be dificult for them to attract quality pkayers. as no quality want his career to be complucated or stoped from growing.
Cekabcpsy
3
Better for him! Newcastle United are now rebranded as "SUMMER OF REJECTION"[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh] I feel so sorry for them though ππππ
Sabekmrst
0
It's normal for teams to look for replacement before selling.
Zeyceilpsu
1
they want a replacement but dont wanna to look one
KwajoSarpong
5
Newcastle want to bring in players from other clubs but dont want to sell his players to there clubs..No wonder any player wants to player for them..Karma