It has been a tumultuous summer for Newcastle United fans, with speculation over star striker Alexander Isak’s future dominating headlines and casting a black cloud over St James’ Park.
The Sweden international has been the subject of intense transfer rumours, with Liverpool bidding for Isak in an attempt to bring the Scandinavian hitman to Anfield.
Newcastle’s preparations for the 2025-26 Premier League season have been disrupted as a result, with manager Eddie Howe unsure whether he can plan for the upcoming campaign with or without the former Real Sociedad centre forward.
Newcastle missed out on Benjamin Sesko, who could have been a replacement for the Scandinavian, but has opted to join Manchester United rather than signing for the Tyneside club.
With the new season only a week away, the north-east side played out a 2-2 draw with Espanyol on Friday night at St James’ Park, with Isak not involved and conspicuous by his absence.
Understandably, after the game Howe faced a barrage of journalist questions over the latest situation in relation to Isak’s Newcastle future.
Howe questioned if Newcastle have disciplined Isak
It has been widely reported that Isak has told Newcastle he wants to leave St James’ Park, with Liverpool’s transfer offer still on the table should the Magpies’ hierarchy have a change of heart.
The Swede has been training away from the rest of Howe’s first-team squad and also missed the club’s pre-season tour in Asia.
The Newcastle boss was questioned about what other action the club had taken against the striker, if any, given his desire to depart England’s north east.
“We’ve had discussions and it’s clear at the moment we can’t have him involved with the group,” Howe said in his post-match press conference, as quoted by Sky Sports.
“I don’t know how long that will be for. It’s clear I can’t involve him with the team at the moment.
“He is training later than the rest of the squad. There have been discussions since the tour.
“I don’t think disciplinary action has happened.
“He is here, so of course he has a future at Newcastle. From our perspective, we would love to have him back with the team, but the situation has to be right for that to happen.”
Newcastle fans will surely want a resolution in the Isak situation sooner rather than later, with the 25-year-old surely not going to be involved next weekend as the Toon start their Premier League season at Aston Villa.
Howe finds himself in a tough situation, especially given how important the Swedish forward has been to Newcastle since joining in August 2022.
Isak had his best campaign in black and white last season, scoring 23 Premier League goals to help Newcastle finish fifth and qualify for the 2025-26 Champions League.
As such, Howe must walk the line carefully not to fully ostracise Isak, who could yet stay in the north east given he is under contract until June 2028.
However, with Newcastle stepping up their striker search, it may well be that Isak has played his last game for the St James’ Park side.