Eddie Howe casts fresh doubt over Alexander Isak future after rejected Liverpool bid

Eddie Howe casts fresh doubt over Alexander Isak future after rejected Liverpool bid

Eddie Howe has admitted he does not know if Alexander Isak will return to training with Newcastle United next week after Liverpool had a bid rejected for the forward

Newcastle United's manager Eddie Howe reacts during a pre-match press conference in Seoul on August 2, 2025, ahead of the friendly football match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP) (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)

Eddie Howe has admitted he does not know if Alexander Isak will return to training with Newcastle United next week as speculation about his future continues. Liverpool had an £110m bid for the wantaway striker rejected by the Magpies on Friday.

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The Reds' subsequent position is, as things stand, they would not bid again for the Swede. They are understood to consider it futile to return with an improved offer, given the swiftness and clarity of Newcastle’s rejection.

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But that has done little to quash speculation about Isak’s future after the Sweden international missed the club’s tour of the Far East.

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His absence was initially put down to a minor injury, but it later emerged that the 25-year-old had asked to explore opportunities to leave St. James’ Park this summer.

While Newcastle have been in the Far East, Isak has been training alone at the facilities of former club Real Sociedad in Spain. However, he is believed to have returned to Tyneside after receiving instruction from the club ahead of the Magpies’ own return to the United Kingdom.

But while Isak might be back on home soil, Howe has cast new doubt over the player’s future by admitting he remains in the dark over whether he will return to training.

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“Of course I'd like him to be, but whether he will I don’t know at this moment in time,” he said at a post-match press conference after Newcastle’s draw with Tottenham Hotspur. “Other people have been dealing with that situation back at home.”

Newcastle will conclude their pre-season schedule by facing La Liga outfits Espanyol and Atletico Madrid on Friday 8 August and Saturday 9 August.

The Magpies had previously been expecting Isak to be available to feature in either fixture, but Howe’s admission will only prompt further uncertainty regarding Isak’s future.

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Howe had previously admitted, ahead of facing Spurs, that he had only found out Isak wasn't training at Newcastle through the media as he reacted to Liverpool’s rejected bid.

"I was made aware of a bid yesterday and that bid was turned down, all before I’d even heard about it," Howe said. "People back in England are dealing with the situation.

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“I don't know what happens next. From our perspective, we still support Alex in every way and my wish is that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again."

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