Alexander Isak is continuing to push for a move away from Newcastle but is no closer to an exit after going on strike. The forward has complained of "broken promises" after failing to secure a move to Liverpool
Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes says the players want Alexander Isak's transfer saga to be resolved as quickly as possible, with the striker still pushing for a move to Liverpool.
Isak has not featured for Eddie Howe's side this season after refusing to join his team-mates for pre-season and training alone for the whole summer.
He has since released a statement complaining of "broken promises" from the Newcastle hierarchy, who hit back with their own message denying they had guaranteed he would be sold in this transfer window.
Liverpool have already had a £110million bid rejected for the Sweden international, with Newcastle understood to be valuing him at around £150m.
Newcastle welcomed Liverpool to St James' Park on Monday night amid the transfer saga, before losing 3-2 in the last minute thanks to teenager Rio Ngumoha's dramatic winner.
Speaking after the game, Guimaraes said he had not spoken to Isak about the situation but urged the club to find a conclusion to the saga to allow the team to focus on the season ahead.
He said the team were "really missing" Isak as they look to move forward without a player who scored 27 goals last season and led them to a Carabao Cup triumph, and that they were "feeling his absence".
"I haven't had any contact with him," Guimares told ESPN Brasil after the Liverpool defeat. "We've been training in the mornings, and he trains at a different time, when no one from the team is around.
"As captain, and for us as players, it's a tough situation because we want to have the best players with us. But that's something we can't control -- the club, the management, the owners are dealing with it, and I hope it gets sorted out in the best way.
"We're really missing our striker, a player who scored more than 20 goals in the Premier League last season, so of course he's someone we feel the absence of. We hope to have our best player back, but unfortunately this is a situation that neither I nor any other player can control."
Newcastle have been looking at a number of alternatives to Isak as they look to bring in a new striker, with the current situation showing no signs of being resolved. There is no guarantee Isak will return to the team even if he doesn't leave before deadline day.
The Magpies have reportedly had a £50m bid rejected for Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen, their latest setback over a bid for a new striker. They were pipped by Liverpool to the signing of Hugo Ekitike and have also seen two bids rejected for Brentford's Yoane Wissa.