Eddie Howe may have told Liverpool exactly what it needed to hear regarding Alexander Isak

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Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has admitted he can't single-handedly stop Alexander Isak from leaving the club this summer.

Isak’s future took another turn on Saturday amid ongoing rumors of a Liverpool move. The Reds have already seen one bid rejected, and currently, there are no plans to make another offer.

However, reports on Saturday suggested that any further attempts to sign the 25-year-old would be in vain, as Newcastle’s Saudi owners have reportedly told Isak he will not be sold this summer. The decision has been taken out of Howe’s hands, even though Newcastle has yet to appoint a new sporting director following Paul Mitchell’s departure.

Asked whether Newcastle can prevent Isak from leaving, Howe said: "I don’t think it’s that straightforward, otherwise we’d have done that a long time ago.

"I don’t think we’re in a position to do that currently."

Adding further hope for Liverpool, Howe hinted that Isak could still be sold, suggesting a deal might not be out of reach. He said: "I think everything is still in play, he is contracted to us, he is our player. The club basically make the decision on his future.

"I don't know what that will be. Of course, I have a preferred outcome, I want the best and strongest squad possible.

"I want the players that really want to play for this football club."

(Image: Getty Images)

Earlier this summer, reports suggested that Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan would decide Isak’s future, with Howe simply managing the situation based on the club’s direction.

"Again, it is a decision that I won't make, that will be for other people to make,” Howe said. “For me I am just trying to manage the situation. And manage the team most importantly, manage the group of players I am working with day to day.

"I love coaching and helping, we are focused on Aston Villa. Everything else, from my perspective, is not in my control, so it is not my focus."

Newcastle has suffered a significant injury blow ahead of the new Premier League season, as Anthony Gordon was forced off during the team's friendly against Atletico Madrid.

The former Everton forward was leading the attack for the Magpies while Isak remains sidelined and away from the squad.

"With the new league campaign just a week away, Gordon appears to be the frontrunner to lead the line for Howe’s side in the Magpies' opener.

"If he is out for a number of weeks, it puts doubts on Liverpool securing the Swedish international this summer.

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