Sweden boss reveals Alexander Isak talks over 'extremely complex' Liverpool transfer situation

Sweden boss reveals Alexander Isak talks over 'extremely complex' Liverpool transfer situation

Sweden boss and former Newcastle United striker Jon Dahl Tommason leaps to the defence of Liverpool transfer target Alexander Isak

Jon Dahl Tomasson, the head coach of Sweden, during the international friendly match against Albania at Friends Arena on March 25, 2024 in Stockholm (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson has hit back at criticism of Alexander Isak's professionalism. And he has described the Liverpool transfer target's situation at Newcastle United as "extremely complex".

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Isak wants to leave St James' Park and was the subject of a £110m offer from Liverpool at the start of August having opted against taking part in the Magpies' pre-season tour of the Far East by citing a minor thigh issue.

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The striker, who finished second to Mohamed Salah in the Premier League's scoring charts last season with 23 goals, was absent for Newcastle at the weekend as they drew 0-0 with 10-man Aston Villa at Villa Park in their first game of the new campaign.

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Magpies manager Eddie Howe has been subjected to a barrage of questions over Isak's future for the best part of a month after he was left out of their first friendly of the summer at Celtic.

And the No.14 has reportedly indicated he won't play again for his current employers after seeing former sporting director Paul Mitchell pull the plug on talks over an improved contract last season.

Liverpool are awaiting encouragement from Newcastle to return with an improved offer and Isak could yet be the subject of British-record transfer talks between the clubs before the September 1 deadline.

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Tomasson, who took charge of the Sweden national team last year, played for Newcastle in the 1997-98 season, but he dismissed suggestions that his forward is a disruptive influence.

“First of all, Alex is an extremely professional player," Tomasson is quoted as telling Fotbollskanalen.

"(He is) A fantastic character and personality. I have spoken to Alex a lot during this period.

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“Situations like this are quite complex. These are extremely complex environments that the players operate in.

“I’m sure it will work out in the end, but you have to know the whole picture before you draw conclusions. That’s always a good tip.

“I don’t think we know (the full story). I don’t know the whole picture either. It’s quite normal because there’s a lot of politics in a football club.

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“But one thing is for sure: Alex is a great guy and very professional. We should all be very careful about drawing conclusions because we don’t know the bigger picture.

"There is time. He is a professional and I know he has been training.

“Of course, he hasn’t trained with a team and hasn’t played any matches. Let’s wait and see.

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“We will have a good chat, Alex and I, and hopefully he will be back in team training soon."

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