Liverpool are set for a key week in the Alexander Isak saga as the Newcastle striker returns to training.
Isak is due to link up with his teammates and Eddie Howe for the first time since they left for the Far East in July.
The Swede officially did not make that trip because of a thigh injury, but it has since been revealed that Isak himself requested that he take no part in the tour.
In the weeks since, Liverpool have seen a £110m rejected for Isak, with a second offer expected to come once Newcastle have sourced a replacement.
The Magpies are pushing hard on that front, with Benjamin Sesko set to decide on his Premier League move in the coming days.
And as Newcastle work hard to find Isak’s successor, journalist Craig Hope has predicted whether the Sweden international will ever play for Newcastle again.
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United in action during the Premier League match against Everton at St James' Park.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Alexander Isak has ‘probably’ played his last game for Newcastle
Hope was the journalist who broke the initial news that Isak had asked to leave Newcastle.
And, having been up close with Howe during the tour of Singapore and South Korea, he had another intriguing update for his YouTube channel on Sunday.
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“Does he train when Newcastle return? He might have to have a conversation with the management and the football club before he does,” Hope explained. “I don’t think he just rocks up on Wednesday with a kit bag and joins the team and everything’s okay, ‘nothing to see here.’ There’s got to be conversations to be had.
“Another question I asked Eddie downstairs just now, ‘have you spoken to him this weekend?’ No, he hasn’t.”
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“The fact that Newcastle are pursuing Benjamin Sesko with such gusto would suggest that they do expect Alexander Isak to move on, or certainly that they’re open to that possibility,” Hope added.
“What does it all mean? You’d be surprised if Alexander Isak does train with his teammates this week without conversations beforehand. Does he even want to be there? Is he going to turn up? His conduct of the past week would suggest he might not, he might be on a plane back to San Sebastian. He might say he’s still injured. Who knows, so much more to come.
“Everything now points to Alexander Isak probably having played his last game for the club. But Liverpool need to come back with that offer, if they don’t, if they can’t get in the replacements, he’ll stay.”
When will we know more in Isak saga?
Although this will likely be music to Liverpool supporters’ ears, it is important to note the final comment from Hope. Isak will be going nowhere unless a replacement is first found.
Re: Benjamin Šeško
Several meetings have taken place in Leipzig today- both internal discussions at RB Leipzig to plan the best possible strategy, and talks between Šeško’s camp and the club.
After missing out on European competitions last season, RB Leipzig want to rebuild,…
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Newcastle are obviously working hard on that front, but there is still a chance that Sesko chooses to join Manchester United.
If that happens, it will be fascinating to see what Newcastle do next.
So, whichever way he decides, Sesko’s choice is going to be key in determining when the next steps of this saga happen. If he does opt to join Newcastle, then things may start to move quickly.
If not, then Liverpool will likely have to hold on for longer as the Magpies once again start over in the market.