Eddie Howe: Newcastle have not held contract talks with Alexander Isak

Eddie Howe has revealed no contract talks have been held with Alexander Isak, but hopes to keep the striker at Newcastle. Isak has been at the centre of transfer speculation during the summer window. The 25-year-old did not travel on the pre-season tour of Asia, with the club stating that he missed out due to a “minor thigh injury”.

Hours later, reports emerged that Isak – who has been linked with a move to Liverpool in recent weeks – had told club executives he wanted to explore the possibility of a transfer away from St James’ Park. Isak has been offered a staggering £600,000-a-week tax-free deal by Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

Isak missed Newcastle’s first pre-season fixture against Celtic last weekend and before their friendly against Arsenal on Sunday, Howe provided an update on the striker’s situation. “There’s things going on behind the scenes. He will be aware he’s in the news every day and I’m sure that’s not easy for anyone,” the Newcastle manager said.

“Conversations that happen between Alex and the club or Alex and myself will stay private. We do share a really good relationship with him. He’s been magnificent for us since he’s joined. He’s very popular in the dressing room and we’d love him to continue his journey at Newcastle.”

Howe said there are no contract talks taking place with Isak, who has three years left on his existing deal. “That’ll be for a later date.

“With the situation as it is and the state of the window, in the sense that it’s hurtling towards the end of the window very quickly from our perspective, there’s still so much that could happen.”

Howe confirmed that Isak is in Newcastle being assessed, adding on the club’s website: “With his injury, I’ve got no major update on that. He first mentioned his thigh just before the Celtic game and we assumed it would a be very minimal injury, nothing too serious.

“Then on the Monday after the Celtic game, he went in from training very early, didn’t feel right, so he’s now in Newcastle getting that injury assessed. Hopefully he’ll be back soon playing in the black and white shirt. That’s what we all want to see.”

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Isak joined Newcastle in August 2022. The Sweden forward scored 27 goals last season as Newcastle lifted the Carabao Cup and secured Champions League football by finishing fifth in the Premier League.

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