‘No chance’ – Newcastle United issue official Alexander Isak update amid Liverpool approach
Alexander Isak Left Out of Newcastle’s Pre-Season Tour as Liverpool Interest Intensifies
Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak will not be joining his teammates for the remainder of their pre-season tour in South Korea, as uncertainty surrounding his future continues to mount. The Swedish forward has remained on Tyneside, with the club officially citing a minor groin injury as the reason for his absence. However, reports suggest that the 24-year-old has expressed a desire to leave the club this summer, with Liverpool believed to be keen on securing his signature.
The Magpies kicked off their Asia tour by flying to Singapore last Thursday, where they played Arsenal in a high-tempo friendly clash that ended in a 3-2 defeat on Sunday. Eddie Howe’s squad has now moved on to Seoul, where they will be based for the coming week. During their stay, they are scheduled to face the K-League All Stars on Wednesday before squaring off against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.
While goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has joined up with the squad after traveling separately, manager Eddie Howe has ruled out any possibility of Isak making a late arrival. “There’s no chance of Alex flying out to join us,” Howe confirmed. “He’s back in Newcastle, being assessed for the groin issue that forced him to withdraw from training after the Celtic match.”
In the absence of their talismanic striker, young forward Will Osula led the line for most of the game against Arsenal before being replaced by 18-year-old prospect Sean Neave in the closing stages.
Speaking to the press ahead of the Arsenal fixture, Howe provided an update on Isak’s condition, although his comments didn’t dispel the growing speculation. “There’s no major development. Alex first mentioned some discomfort in his thigh just before our match against Celtic,” Howe explained. “We initially thought it was nothing serious, but he pulled out of training early the following Monday. We’re hoping it’s a short-term setback, and we’d love to have him back in the black-and-white shirt as soon as possible.”
Despite the club’s official line regarding injury, speculation about Isak’s future continues to swirl. Liverpool have reportedly earmarked the forward as a priority target and are said to be preparing a record-breaking offer, potentially contingent on Luis Diaz finalising a move to Bayern Munich. If such a transfer materializes, Liverpool may accelerate their pursuit of the Newcastle star.
Addressing the rumours over the weekend, Howe acknowledged that there have been behind-the-scenes developments, but insisted that any discussions with Isak would remain private.
“Of course, there are ongoing conversations, as you’d expect when a player of his calibre is constantly in the headlines,” Howe admitted. “But Alex has been fantastic for us—on and off the pitch. He’s incredibly well liked in the dressing room, and we’d absolutely love to see him continue his journey at Newcastle.”
The manager remained optimistic about retaining the striker, adding, “I still believe he’ll stay, and I haven’t seen anything that makes me think otherwise at this stage. That said, football is unpredictable. Nothing can be ruled out entirely.”
Howe also stressed that any decision regarding Isak’s future would ultimately be made in the best interests of the club.
“Whatever happens, it must be right for Newcastle United. We’re in a strong financial position, and our ambition is clear: we want to build on last season, strengthen the squad, and continue moving forward,” he said.
When asked about the potential timeline for resolving the situation, Howe declined to speculate. “It’s not something I can put a timeframe on. Transfers are complex, especially when large sums of money are involved,” he noted. “The board and ownership will weigh all factors and make the best decision for the long-term future of the club. My job is to focus on the football side, and to keep building a competitive team—regardless of what happens with Alex.”
Newcastle are expected to continue exploring attacking reinforcements during the window, though it remains to be seen whether Isak’s situation will trigger a chain reaction of high-profile moves before the summer deadline.