Alexander Isak continues to train in isolation at Newcastle United's Benton base with Eddie Howe handing the striker a transfer ultimatum ahead of the season
10:34, 11 Aug 2025Updated 10:38, 11 Aug 2025
Alexander Isak and the Liverpool badge
Alexander Isak has been linked to Liverpool(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Alexander Isak remains in isolation training at Newcastle United's Benton facility, with manager Eddie Howe indicating over the weekend that the striker is unlikely to play against Aston Villa in the Premier League opener.
Football can be unpredictable, but Howe disclosed on Saturday evening that persuading the Swedish forward to don the black-and-white strip has been challenging, and if it were possible, it would have happened by now.
The Magpies are still on the hunt for a new striker who can step into Isak's shoes. Benfica's Vangelis Pavlidis is the latest name suggested to Newcastle by intermediaries, although he's just one of several options.
Newcastle are also waiting for an improved offer for Isak, with the most recent bid from Liverpool arriving on August 1. The Reds' £110m proposal was promptly turned down, reports Chronicle Live.
The next step must be a more substantial bid. There's been speculation about a £150m offer, but some agents suggest that £130m plus add-ons could lead to a breakthrough.
Alexander Isak warms up
Alexander Isak has been training alone at Newcastle's facilities
Article continues below
Regardless, Isak has been given a clear message: no serious offer means no transfer. Until then, the door remains open for Isak to lace up his boots and join training ahead of the Villa Park match, and potentially play again for Newcastle - something he's shown no interest in doing this pre-season.
United now head into the Premier League opener without the player - at least mentally - who netted 27 goals for them last season and helped fire them into the Champions League.
Pictures of Isak have been taken down from the club shop, and whilst Newcastle were in South Korea, Adidas staff told the Newcastle Chronicle that sales of the new jersey with the striker's name on it nosedived the moment he failed to board the flight to the Far East.
Alexander Isak has been told he'll be staying at Newcastle
Alexander Isak has been told he won't move without a serious offer(Image: Getty Images)
Isak had previously been the face of the new third kit launch earlier this summer, even featuring in Adidas advertisements alongside club legend Tino Asprilla at the Tyneside Irish Centre, but that was well before his agent turned his head.
Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton remain fan favourites, but there's hope that a new striker can help recover some of the lost revenue.
However, on the training pitch, Howe must press on without his star man, and whilst his absence is a significant factor in preparations, Howe acknowledged that maintaining team morale is equally crucial.
He said: "I think the group has been disrupted, of course, but I think whenever you have a player in this situation, it's unsettling for the team.
Don't miss a thing with football updates!
Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter!
From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox.
How do you sign up?
It only takes a matter of seconds.
Simply click on this link, then provide your email address and that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories.
You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, right here
"I don't think we've been in that position since I've been here, the harmony and togetherness of the group has been at its highest.
"So I think naturally it's just been a topic of conversation, it's been a distraction and the biggest hit we've taken is we're not blessed with a number of players in his position, so I think you've seen a big gap.
"But I have to say, big credit to the players because they've got on with their work, training has been of a really high level.
Article continues below
"I haven't seen a negative output on the pitch, but I have been aware of feeling around the group that there's something there that's not to the benefit of the group."