Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak continues to be linked with a move to Liverpool
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United reacts
Liverpool transfer target Alexander Isak(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Eddie Howe has refused to rule out Alexander Isak being fined by Newcastle United for failing to fulfil his duties in the Premier League. The forward has trained alone ever since his side returned from a pre-season tour of the Far East.
As a result, Isak wasn't part of the Newcastle squad for their opening game of the Premier League season away to Aston Villa on Saturday. The Sweden international is keen on a move to Liverpool, with the Reds having already had a bid rejected for him this summer.
And asked following the 0-0 draw at Villa Park if Isak is on the brink of being fined, Howe replied: "Other people are dealing with that issue. I’m concentrating on the team and our next game."
However, the Chronicle understands that the Magpies are pondering when to take action on Isak, with the Sweden striker now free from the groin injury that kept him out of the trip to the Far East in pre-season.
Howe also reiterated his stance that the door remains open for Isak to be reintegrated into the squad if he wants to be but knows only the player is in control.
“We would like a resolution,” he said. “When I say we, I’m talking about myself and I’m sure the ownership, everyone really, the players that we have, because I think we need that clarity this season.
“Any Premier League season can be hard enough. You don’t need any kind of distraction to swerve your thoughts, to unbalance what we’re doing.
“But I’m certainly not in control of that. And I think there’s only one person really that could control that.
“Nothing’s changed, the door is well and truly open. But he has to decide what he wants to do.
“I mean, that’s the quickest way. But of course, Alex is in control of what he does. I’m not in control of him.”
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Howe also refused to speculate on whether the Magpies would have beaten Villa with Isak in the team, saying: “I don’t think it’s the narrative we want to go down, because it’s easy to say, but you’ve got no way of knowing if that’s the case.
“Of course, you’re going to miss someone that scored the goals that Alex has, and not just the goals, but the calibre of player that he is.
“So we’re not silly enough to think any different, but we just have to look and talk about the players that are here and what they’ve given today.
“It’s very easy for the players to have a feeling of negativity going into the game or an excuse they’re ready, but there was no sign of that in our performance.”