Alexander Isak’s dispute with Newcastle United escalated on Wednesday when the striker was instructed to train separately from his teammates and was barred from a lunchtime barbecue organised by manager Eddie Howe. The event was intended for players, staff, and their families, but Isak was told to delay his arrival for solitary training until later in the afternoon.
The rest of the first-team squad had returned to training after their pre-season tour of Singapore and South Korea, which Isak missed. The Sweden international has been attempting to force a transfer to Liverpool, with the club citing a minor thigh strain as the reason for his absence from the tour, though scans showed no injury. Instead of training with Newcastle, Isak travelled to Spain to train alone at his former club Real Sociedad.
Howe, speaking from Seoul, had warned that players exhibiting “poor behaviour” could forfeit the right to train with the squad. “You have to earn the right to train with us,” he said. “Players have a responsibility to be part of a team and a squad. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group.” Isak was due to meet Howe for talks on Wednesday, with his thigh also scheduled for a medical inspection.
Liverpool have had a £110m bid for Isak rejected, but Newcastle expect them to return with a higher offer once a suitable replacement is found. That search has proved frustrating, with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko reportedly set to join Manchester United. Newcastle are now considering other targets, including PSG’s Gonçalo Ramos, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson.
Regardless of his reintegration, Isak is unlikely to feature in the Sela Cup at St James’ Park, where Newcastle face Espanyol and Atlético Madrid this weekend. The club are also in the market for a right-sided central defender, with reports suggesting AC Milan rejected a £26m bid for Germany international Malick Thiaw.
