Alexander Isak missed the entirety of pre-season, initially due to a thigh injury.
Alexander Isak continues to be linked with a move to Liverpool, with less than three weeks remaining before the summer transfer window closes.
After Liverpool saw a £110million bid rejected earlier this month, the transfer saga shows no signs of slowing down as the Premier League season approaches.
The Reds have already been active in the market this summer, securing seven new signings.
Whether Isak will join Arne Slot’s squad remains uncertain.
Newcastle United, meanwhile, have remained firm that the forward is not for sale, amid reports suggesting a potential price tag of around £150million.
Manager Eddie Howe admitted that the Isak saga has been far from ideal for the club but claimed that the squad remains determined to start the season on a positive note.
Howe the BBC: “I don’t think it’s been healthy for us.
“I don’t deny that’s been a big challenge.
“Alex, for me, is one of the best strikers in the world – if not the best. To miss him from your squad leaves a huge gap.
“I think morale was certainly affected early on during pre-season. There was nothing I could do to affect that – it was always going to be there.
“When you have a player that good who is not part of your group, it’s difficult for the players to fully understand it and to know what’s going on and how to react.
“But, as time has gone on, there has been an acceptance this is the squad and we have got to make the best of the situation. That’s always been my train of thought.
“Whatever situation you’re in, you have got to find a way and you can only control what you can control.
“We have moved forward and I’ve got to say the atmosphere of the group has been very good in the last couple of weeks.”
According to the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, Alexander Isak is on strike at Newcastle United as he tries to force a move to Liverpool this summer.
The Sweden international has refused to train with the squad, effectively ruling him out of all fixtures for the foreseeable future.
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