A major update on Alexander Isak’s future has dropped minutes after Manchester United completed the signing of Benjamin Sesko.
Alexander Isak’s future has been a major talking point this summer, with the Newcastle striker absent from first-team training as he looks to force a transfer to Liverpool.
The Premier League champions reportedly had a £110 million offer turned down and are said to be unwilling to make another bid unless Newcastle signal a willingness to negotiate.
Manager Eddie Howe’s situation has been further complicated by Newcastle’s struggles in the transfer market, as several key targets have slipped away — the latest being Benjamin Šeško, who opted to join Manchester United instead of moving to St. James’ Park.
Newcastle reportedly had a bid accepted for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško, but it was widely believed the player always preferred reuniting with Ruben Amorim at Manchester United.
Just minutes after United officially confirmed Šeško’s move to the northwest, clarity emerged over Alexander Isak’s situation. According to The Telegraph, the Sweden international has been informed by the Newcastle board that he is not for sale and will not be leaving this summer.
The decision has allegedly created “acrimony” and “tension,” leaving Isak furious and training away from the first team. He is not expected to play until he comes to terms with the fact he won’t be moving during this transfer window. The stance, maintained all summer by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is described as “high-risk.”
Eddie Howe has admitted that Alexander Isak is unlikely to feature in Newcastle’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa due to the ongoing uncertainty over his future.
The manager confirmed that Isak has fully recovered from the thigh injury that kept him out of their pre-season tour in Asia, but revealed the striker travelled to former club Real Sociedad’s training ground without Newcastle’s permission.
“We’ve had discussions and it’s clear at the moment that we can’t involve him with the group,” Howe said. “I don’t know how long that will be for, but that’s the latest. I’d want Alex to be playing today, I’d want him training tomorrow. We would love the player to be with us. Let me make that absolutely clear. There’s no part of me that doesn’t want that outcome, but I don’t see the current situation changing for Aston Villa.”
Newcastle remain linked with several forwards — most notably Brentford’s Yoane Wissa — and recent reports suggest Porto’s Samu Aghehowa has been added to their shortlist after failed moves for Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, and Hugo Ekitike.
However, The Telegraph notes that none of these striker targets are intended as direct replacements for Isak, who is under contract at St. James’ Park until 2027.
