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Newcastle United have sent an Alexander Isak amid interest from Liverpool.
Isak has been training away from his teammates for the last fortnight and in that period has missed the club’s pre-season tour of Asia, as well as last weekend’s matches against Espanyol and Atletico Madrid.
The Sweden international won’t be involved in Saturday’s Premier League opener away to Aston Villa, with a report from The Athletic on Tuesday morning claiming Isak has no intention of playing for the Magpies again, even if he stays after the window shuts.
Newcastle United send Alexander Isak reminder amid Liverpool talk
But Newcastle have been defiant throughout the saga, insisting they won’t consider selling the player until a replacement is found.
And just after news broke is Isak reportedly seeing his St James’ Park career as ‘finished’, the Magpies, albeit unintentional, sent a subtle reminder that he is indeed their player.
United confirmed their squad numbers for the 2025-26 campaign, with Isak handed the number 14 shirt, the same number he has worn since joining the club for £63million from Real Sociedad in August 2022.
What Eddie Howe said on Alexander Isak’s future
Isak has been training alone after sitting out of the club’s pre-season tour of Asia. hE spent time in Spain training individually at former club Real Sociedad and since last week has been arriving at the Magpies’ training ground at a separate time from his teammates.
Isak wants to join Liverpool, who had a £110million bid rejected earlier this month. The Reds say they won’t return with another bid unless Newcastle make progress on signing a replacement.
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Speaking on Friday, Howe explained: “We've had discussions and it's clear at the moment that we can't involve him with the group. So, yeah, I don't know how long that will be for. That's the latest.
“He's here, of course he has a future at Newcastle. Certainly from our perspective, everyone connected with the club, we would love to see him back with the team. But the situation has to be right for that time.
“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 is no part of me that doesn’t want that outcome. But I don’t see that changing [the current situation] before Aston Villa.”
Newcastle United squad numbers confirmed
“Newcastle United can confirm first-team squad numbers for the upcoming 2025/26 season,” a Newcastle statement read. “Summer signings Anthony Elanga (20) and Aaron Ramsdale (32) have already appeared in their confirmed squad numbers during pre-season, while Lewis Hall has switched to number three for the new campaign.
“Elsewhere, goalkeeper Nick Pope will take the recently vacated number one shirt. Pope, who had worn number 22 since his arrival from Burnley three years ago, takes the shirt following Martin Dúbravka's permanent switch to Turf Moor last week.
“Newcastle United confirmed 2025/26 squad numbers are:
“1. Nick Pope, 2. Kieran Trippier, 3. Lewis Hall, 4. Sven Botman, 5. Fabian Schär, 6. Jamaal Lascelles, 7. Joelinton, 8. Sandro Tonali, 10. Anthony Gordon, 11. Harvey Barnes, 13. Matt Targett, 14. Alexander Isak, 17. Emil Krafth, 18. Will Osula, 20. Anthony Elanga, 21. Tino Livramento, 23. Jacob Murphy, 26. John Ruddy, 28. Joe Willock, 29. Mark Gillespie, 30. Harrison Ashby, 31. Max Thompson, 32. Aaron Ramsdale, 33. Dan Burn, 37. Alex Murphy, 39. Bruno Guimaraes, 67. Lewis Miley.”
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