As Newcastle United continue their pre-season tour in Asia, one name is noticeably absent—Alexander Isak.
While the rest of the squad pushes on with preparations, the Swedish striker is staying back in Tyneside, and it’s not just because of a thigh injury.
A Thigh Injury… or Something More?
Officially, Isak ruled himself out of the tour due to a thigh issue.
Scans have reportedly come back clear, but there’s no plan for him to rejoin the squad anytime soon.
Behind the scenes, it’s clear there’s more to the story.
Isak, 25, has made it known he wants to leave—and Liverpool are lining up a move.
Liverpool Ready to Make Their Move
With Luis Diaz heading to Bayern Munich for a reported £65 million, Liverpool suddenly have cash to spend.
And they’re expected to submit a formal bid for Isak as soon as this week.
Newcastle know what’s coming—and now they’ll have to decide how to respond.
Stuck Between Sentiment and Strategy
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe isn’t hiding the dilemma. On one hand, the club wants to keep its top talent.
On the other, Isak clearly wants the exit, and a massive offer—possibly as high as £150 million—might be too good to refuse.
Howe confirmed that Isak won’t travel to South Korea with the team, adding more fuel to the fire.
Inside the Dressing Room
Speaking after Newcastle’s 3-2 loss to Arsenal on Sunday, Howe addressed the elephant in the room: how the squad is handling the Isak situation.
“Of course we’re going to miss someone with Alex’s ability,” he said.
“But this is a professional group, and they’re staying focused. I can’t fault their attitude at all.”
Who Could Replace Isak?
Newcastle are already exploring alternatives. Brentford’s Yoane Wissa remains a key target, but he’s not the only name on the list.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson are all being looked at as potential reinforcements—just in case.
Transfer Market Frustrations
Howe admitted the summer window has been far from easy.
“We’ve been planning since the end of last season,” he said.
“We know the type of players we want, but it’s been a difficult market. We’ll keep working and see what’s possible.”
The Verdict: A Crunch Week Ahead
As Liverpool prepare their bid and Isak’s future hangs in the balance, all eyes are now on Newcastle’s ownership.
Will they cash in, or hold firm and risk keeping an unsettled player? Either way, the next few days could shape the club’s season before it even begins.